🚨 Arsenal want Barca star, Chelsea chasing Premier League duo, in-form striker says he's a Man United fan, new Tuchel contract, & more
Today's headlines from the Premier League and beyond...
Happy Friday everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal draw at Brentford as lead cut to four points
Arsenal saw their lead at the top of the Premier League table reduced from six to four points as they could only draw 1-1 away to Brentford.
The Gunners were far from at their best, with David Raya forced to keep them in it with a superb save in the first half, but a fine header from Noni Madueke eventually gave the visitors the lead on the hour mark.
Still, Brentford certainly deserved something from this game and equalised from a well-worked set play, with Keane Lewis-Potter applying the finish.
FT Brentford 1-1 Arsenal [Pictures from TNT Sports]
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Arsenal
Arsenal are apparently keen on bringing their former youngster Omari Hutchinson back to the club, though they could also face competition from Chelsea. (Sports Boom)
Arsenal are one of the main suitors for Club Brugge wonderkid Aleksandar Stankovic, but they’ll also be up against Manchester United for the 20-year-old midfielder. (TEAMtalk)
Arsenal are keen to sign Borussia Dortmund left-back Daniel Svensson this summer, but face competition from Real Madrid for his signature. (Fichajes)
Arsenal are looking to strengthen their attack with this 18 G/A winger who they’ve tried to sign in the past - full story here!
Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski has set a date to decide his Barcelona future as he has suitors from Europe, MLS, and the Saudi Pro League. (Mundo Deportivo)
Deco on Marcus Rashford: “Yes, definitely [we’re pleased with him]. I don’t think it’s easy to come here. He’s a footballer who has played at a very high level, with enormous demands at a club like Manchester United.” (Sport)
Deco has also spoken out on other Barcelona transfer plans ahead of the summer - full story here!
Chelsea
Chelsea are seriously considering Marcos Senesi as a transfer target in defence this summer as he’s coming towards the end of his Bournemouth contract, but other big clubs are also keeping an eye on his situation. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Chelsea are also eyeing another big name from the Premier League in the form of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, with the Blues prepared to pay his €75m asking price. (Fichajes)
Another top midfield talent on Chelsea’s radar is Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but a host of other clubs are also pursuing the Cameroon youngster. (Fichajes)
England
Thomas Tuchel has agreed to sign a new contract to stay on as England manager until 2028, in a potential blow to Manchester United as he’d been linked with the job for this summer - full story here!
Tuchel on new England deal: “The thing that I only signed for 18 months was my wish and I didn’t want to lose the focus towards the World Cup. Now, after more than one year in the job, I can say I will not lose the focus. We are very, very clear who we want to nominate, how we want to nominate and how we want to present ourselves in the World Cup. This will now give us clarity that after the World Cup, we will continue, then we will compete in the Nations League.”
Juventus
This Juventus star is the ONLY player from Serie A to make the top 20 highest paid footballers in Europe’s big five leagues - find out more here!
Liverpool
Liverpool look ready to try to beat Chelsea to this top Ligue 1 talent this summer - full story here!
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola on Erling Haaland’s fitness: “Niggles. He didn’t feel comfortable. Reason why? Many games. I didn’t speak with doctors, I don’t know exactly what he has. He said I don’t feel comfortable and at 3-0, with Omar and games to come, it was common sense.” (Press conference)
Manchester United
Manchester United have had scouts come to watch Pierre Kalulu play and they’re expected to keep on closely monitoring the Juventus defender ahead of the summer. (Tuttosport)
Brentford striker Igor Thiago: “My brother started talking to me and made me watch the Premier League every weekend, especially Manchester United. And then I started paying closer attention to United. From there it grew on me with feelings of love and affection. Then, I wanted to become a player too.” (TNT Sports)
Thomas Tuchel has agreed to sign a new contract to stay on as England manager until 2028, in a potential blow to Manchester United as he’d been linked with the job for this summer - full story here!
Newcastle United
Newcastle are already preparing to sell Nick Woltemade this summer, and have made a replacement striker one of their top priority targets. (Football Insider)
Real Madrid
This important Real Madrid player is emerging as an ambitious summer transfer target for Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad - full story here!
Dani Carvajal’s Real Madrid future is in doubt as he’s become less of a key player under interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa. (Marca)
Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou has hit out at Tottenham, saying: “What are they trying to do? They’ve built an unbelievable stadium, unbelievable training facilities, but when you look at the expenditure, particularly in the wages structure, they’re not a big club.” (The Overlap)
Postecoglou also named the signings he wanted for Spurs: “I was looking at Pedro Neto, and Mbeumo, and Semenyo. Marc Guehi. If we’re going to go from fifth to there, that’s what the other big clubs would do in that moment.” (The Overlap)
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is reportedly not interested in taking the Tottenham job this summer. (Give Me Sport)
Why do Tottenham’s managers end up hating them? A closer look here!
Tottenham are leading the race to sign AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic as he looks for a return to the Premier League this summer, with intermediaries already holding talks with a number of clubs. (TEAMtalk)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is emerging as a target for Tottenham despite only recently joining Everton from Chelsea. (Football Insider)