🚨 Arsenal's DREAM midfield target, Man Utd star's Saudi links, Man City's plans for Brazilian striker, plus England equaliser video and shocking Ukraine penalty decision

Today's football headlines all in one place, featuring Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City and much more!

Hello and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s updates :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Could Bruno Fernandes move to the Saudi Pro League?

• Arsenal identify their DREAM midfield target

• An 11th hour twist in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd move

• Could Chelsea and Man City really be relegated?

• Plus more from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Tottenham

Arsenal

• Arsenal’s dream midfield target is Douglas Luiz, but could this be one of their alternatives?

• Jorginho’s agent has been discussing his future at Arsenal and Fabrizio Romano has offered his exclusive insight here.

• Antonio Nusa has been linked with Arsenal and could be one to watch in the summer - more in Fabrizio Romano’s column here.

• 📰 Arsenal are among the clubs showing an interest in signing Santos and Brazil wonderkid Marcos Leonardo in January (Evening Standard)

Atletico Madrid

• Antoine Griezmann regrets joining Barcelona and remains fully committed to Atletico Madrid - more from Fabrizio Romano here.

Barcelona

• Gavi has torn his ACL and the meniscus of his knee is also affected. He will be out for 7-9 months, his season is over — further tests confirm. Expectation is 7 months, but could be up to 8-9 total months. He’s expected to miss Euro2024 too — back for pre-season 2024/2025.

• Barcelona may have to change their transfer plans after the injury to Gavi, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Bayern Munich

• ALL of Harry Kane’s Bundesliga goals so far this season - which one is your favourite and is Kane the best striker in the world right now? [Pictures via Bayern Munich/Next Media]

• David Alaba on a potential return to Bayern Munich: “I'm not thinking that far ahead. I feel very comfortable in Madrid. I like Real Madrid and I have very clear goals. My thoughts are not anywhere else.”

Brighton

• When will Brighton sell Evan Ferguson? Fabrizio Romano has his latest info here.

Could Manchester City & Chelsea Actually be Relegated?

Chelsea

• Fabrizio Romano admits one Chelsea player looks to be “99% gone” ahead of this January’s transfer window - but who could replace him?

• Marc Cucurella on his Chelsea life: “Here you have to win every game. Every week. This is how it works at top clubs. When you come to a big club, for sure the pressure is there. When you go to a normal club, there is not this pressure. It’s different.”

England

• It wasn’t a vintage display from England last night, but this own goal helped them fight back for a draw. FT North Macedonia 1-1 England [Pictures from Channel 4]

Everton

• How will Everton approach the January transfer window after their points deduction? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.

LA Galaxy

• LA Galaxy are still keen on signing Hirving Lozano as part of their plans for 2024. Lozano was already in talks with LA Galaxy last summer but he decided to return to PSV Eindhoven. But MLS option remains open for his future. LA Galaxy are still there.

Manchester City

• Will Girona striker Savio be a future target for Manchester City?

• Bernardo Silva on Joao Neves and Man Utd scouting him: “If I can, I will pull strings to Joao Neves to go to Man City. I’d like to see Joao joining City instead of Man United, of course!”

• What a year it’s been for Rico Lewis! First his senior debut for Manchester City, then his first goal for Manchester City, his Champions League debut, becoming a treble winner, and now his debut for England last night.

Manchester United

• Benfica have no intention to open talks for Joao Neves in January despite Man United sending their scouts many times to track talented midfielder. There’s same clause as Enzo Fernandez one year ago into his contract: €120m.

• Are Manchester United really pursuing Antoine Griezmann?

• Could Bruno Fernandes be the next big target for Saudi clubs?

• Is Robin Le Normand the latest name on Man Utd’s list of targets?

Napoli

• Victor Osimhen still looks highly unlikely to leave Napoli in the middle of the season, but the summer could be a different story - more from Fabrizio Romano here.

Portugal

• Portugal have ten wins in ten games in the EURO Qualifiers with Cristiano Ronaldo as their top scorer, with ten goals. Roberto Martinez paid tribute to his star player, saying: “Cristiano Ronaldo is as hungry as an 18 year old player. He is a role model. He always tries to be in the right position and is looking for the goal.”

PSG

• Warren Zaire-Emery will be out until the end of December due to injury suffered on his debut with France. He’ll be back in action again after the winter break.

• PSG are continuing to scout this Brazilian wonderkid - full details from Fabrizio Romano here.

Real Madrid

• David Alaba on a potential return to Bayern Munich: “I'm not thinking that far ahead. I feel very comfortable in Madrid. I like Real Madrid and I have very clear goals. My thoughts are not anywhere else.”

• Endrick: “My dream since I was a kid was to play for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo is my idol. Messi is a phenomenal guy! But I’m more of a fan of Cristiano…It’s a great pride knowing that I’ll wear the same shirt as Cristiano.”

Roma

• Roma could sign Romelu Lukaku permanently as he has an unofficial €40m release clause - more info from Fabrizio Romano in his column here.

Salernitana

• There are two release clauses into Boulaye Dia’s contract at Salernitana, included after Wolves deal collapsed: €20m for clubs in UEFA competitions; €22m for clubs not in UEFA comps. Both clauses are available in January and summer.

Tottenham

• Tottenham have been linked with a €30m move for Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante.

Ukraine

• Ukraine had a very good shout for a penalty turned down right near the end of their game against Italy - did Mykhaylo Mudryk deserve the spot-kick here? FT Ukraine 0-0 Italy [Pictures from Viaplay Sports]