🚨Arsenal trigger £27m release clause for 2024 signing, two key Man United stars READY for Everton, Man City midfielder considered Saudi offers during summer, and more

Today's football headlines all in one place for you, featuring Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool and more!

Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

• Arsenal decide to permanently sign Brentford’s David Raya for £27m

• Man City star says he thought about Saudi offers this summer

• World Cup winner Ángel Di María to retire from International football

• Plus more from Man United, Liverpool and Barcelona

AC Milan

• AC Milan have included 15-year-old Francesco Camarda in their squad for their upcoming game against Fiorentina.

Argentina

• Ángel Di María has confirmed that the 2024 Copa América will be the last time he plays for the Argentina national team.

• Ángel Di María scored the second goal in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar which went on to be one of the most memorable in history. FT: Argentina 3-3 France [Argentina win 4-2 on penalties]. (Pictures from FIFA+)

Arsenal

• Arsenal have decided to permanently sign David Raya from Brentford in 2024 once his current loan deal expires. The goalkeeper’s buy option clause will be triggered for £27m with the player already signing his long-term contract.

• Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz is Arsenal’s number one target to strengthen their midfield but a deal will be very hard during the January transfer window.

• Mikel Arteta also has Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi on his list of midfield targets.

AS Monaco

• Several big European clubs are keen on signing Youssouf Fofana from Monaco as he’s out of contract in June 2025. The midfielder is not a top target for PSG.

Aston Villa

• Douglas Luiz is Arsenal’s number one target to strengthen their midfield but it will be hard to agree a deal with Aston Villa during the January transfer window.

Barcelona

• Barcelona are discussing a potential move for Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi internally with an eye on the 2024 summer transfer window. The midfielder has a €60m release clause in his current contract.

• Barcelona president Joan Laporta on replacing the injured Gavi in January: “We’ve very competitive squad and Xavi has enough elements to continue having a good campaign.”

Bayern Munich

• Leon Goretzka has been speaking about his Bayern Munich contract that is due to expire in 2026, the midfielder said: “The coach has the right to express praise and criticism. I have no problem with that and I always said I felt comfortable at FC Bayern”.

• Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel has stated he wants to keep Thomas Müller around with his contract expiring at the end of the season. “We want him on the team. It's clear that he wants to keep playing. Why shouldn't he continue playing at the highest level?” Tuchel said.

Benfica

• Benfica star Ángel Di María has confirmed that the 2024 Copa América will be the last time he plays for the Argentina national team.

• João Neves will only be sold in January if interested parties trigger his €120m release clause as the Portuguese club will not negotiate.

Chelsea

• Chelsea have announced that Wesley Fofana has returned to training and is working back to full fitness after his recent knee injury.

England

• 📰 Declan Rice has been elevated into England's senior leadership group, joining Harry Kane, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker ahead of Euro 2024 next summer in Germany. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool

• Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wrestling with Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor at the Reds’ training ground ahead of their 12:30 kick-off with Man City on Saturday. [Pictures from Vinny O’Connor]

• 📰 Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones were all involved in Liverpool’s training session on Thursday having missed the Reds’ win over Brentford before the international break. (Sky Sports)

Manchester City

• Man City star Bernardo Silva has said that he thought about the bid received from Saudi Arabia in July. “I'd lie if I said I didn't think about the Saudi offers,” the midfielder stated. “But what interests me was the heat of a Champions League semi-final, the stadium going wild after scoring against Real Madrid or when we won the final.”

Manchester United

• Andre Onana has no serious injury after his scare with Cameroon. The goalkeeper is training with the rest of the Man United squad and is fit for the Everton match on Sunday.

• Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Luke Shaw has been training with the team for the last two weeks and that he is hopeful the defender will be ready to be in his squad for the Everton match on Sunday.

• João Neves will only be sold in January if interested parties trigger his €120m release clause as the Portuguese club will not negotiate. Man United have had scouts watch the midfielder on multiple occasions.

• Erik ten Hag has also praised Harry Maguire for turning his Man United fortunes around. “Harry Maguire took his chance. We were talking about injured players, he took his chance when Rapha Varane was absent,” the Dutch coach said.

• 📰 Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is being considered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe for that role at Manchester United once his investment in the club is ratified. (The Independent)

Nottingham Forest

• Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi will be out of action for months after having surgery on an injury, his manager Steve Cooper has confirmed.

Olympique Marseille

• Confirmed: Mehdi Benatia has signed his deal to become the new Sporting Director of Olympique Marseille.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Several big European clubs are keen on signing Youssouf Fofana from Monaco

  as he’s out of contract in June 2025. The midfielder is not a top target for PSG.

Real Madrid

• Rodrygo has returned to Real Madrid after the international break with discomfort in his knee. Madrid staff will check on his condition on Friday with the player optimistic.

Real Sociedad

• Arsenal and Barcelona are interested in Martín Zubimendi ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window. The midfielder has a €60m release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.

Tottenham

• Tottenham have identified Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as potential targets for January.

• Destiny Udogie on working under new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou this season: “The first day I came in, Ange Postecoglou called me to speak with him and he told me I’m a key player for him. He explained what he wanted from me, and knowing I had the trust of the head coach was a big motivation.”