🚨 Bellingham's superb late equaliser, HORROR own goal video, plus latest on Mourinho's future, Arsenal winger targets, Chelsea's CB interest, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, latest news clips, 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:
Columns: Charles Watts on Arsenal, and Neil Jones on Liverpool
Plus more on Chelsea, Man Utd and one of the worst own goals ever!
Arsenal
Pedro Neto or Nico Williams to Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the Gunners’ top winger targets.
Could Donyell Malen be another target for Arsenal in attack?
Will Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey be fit for Arsenal’s game away to Manchester City this weekend? Charles Watts with his exclusive injury news and match preview here.
Aaron Ramsdale seems certain to leave Arsenal, but will it be to Chelsea? Charles Watts takes a look in his exclusive column.
Ethan Nwaneri to sign a new Arsenal contract and challenge for a first-team place soon, according to Charles Watts.
Be the first to read EXCLUSIVE NEWS ARTICLES from me, Fabrizio Romano, Christian Falk, Neil Jones, Ben Jacobs, Jonathan Johnson, Charles Watts and Matteo Moretto!
Aston Villa
Nicolo Zaniolo on his future: “I’m focused on Aston Villa, then Galatasaray will decide my future. I miss Italy, of course… but my agent will inform me in case of concrete proposals. I’m grateful to Monchi who wanted to bring me here.”
Zaniolo: “Unai Emery is one of the best managers in the world, at the same level of Pep Guardiola, Klopp and Mourinho. It’s true, I’m not having a lot of game time and I was expecting more…But I’m honest enough to say that Emery is a world class coach.”
Atletico Madrid
Mario Hermoso is still far from staying at Atletico Madrid as new deal has not been agreed. He can really leave as free agent… but Juve and Barcelona are not working on this deal despite reports.
Barcelona
Barcelona confirm the resignation of Eduard Romeu, vice president of the economical area of the club. He’s leaving as confirmed after meeting of Board of Directors today.
Neymar wants Barcelona return, according to surprise reports!
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have set a deadline for Alphonso Davies to decide his future, with Real Madrid hovering. More in Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Jamal Musiala: “I feel like I’m playing my best football right now. I realize that I have taken a step forward. I’m scoring the goals and getting the assists you need to get attention. I’ve been playing consistently all season and I want to continue.”
Belgium
Not the best defending by England, but how about that Romelu Lukaku assist for Youri Tielemans? FT England 2-2 Belgium [Pictures from Channel 4]
Brazil
Endrick scored again after coming on for Brazil - first Wembley, then the Santiago Bernabeu, his future home in couple of months. A tremendous impact in Europe in just one week. FT Spain 3-3 Brazil [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Chelsea
Nigerian striker Ibrahim Hafiz Umar, 18, has decided to go for a trial at Chelsea instead of joining FK Bodo/Glimt despite club-to-club deal done for €500k. It will be up to Chelsea now, as Hafiz will be on trial for next weeks from Ojodu City Academy.
Could we see Chelsea join the race for Leny Yoro this summer? Fabrizio Romano has the latest details in his exclusive column.
Chelsea could also be busy in the centre-back department in general with both incomings and outgoings - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Aaron Ramsdale continues to be linked with Chelsea but he won’t come cheap, says Charles Watts.
Dani Olmo to Chelsea transfer talks have reportedly started…
England
Jude Bellingham scored a late, late equaliser for England as they came back to draw with Belgium! FT England 2-2 Belgium [Pictures from Channel 4]
Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo was awarded with the England Player of the Match… on his first start ever for his country.
Flamengo
Brazil centre back Fabricio Bruno is open to move to Europe in the summer. Bruno signed new deal at Flamengo after good proposal but could be on the move in case of bids around €12/15m. Wolves, Atalanta, #NFFC and clubs from Qatar/Saudi approached him last year.
Galatasaray
Nicolo Zaniolo on Galatasaray: “I did my best for Gala. Of course, for an Italian player in Turkey it’s not easy to adapt. It was a good experience, let’s see what will happen in the summer with Gala.”
Inter Milan
Official: Serie A sports judge decides against any sanction in allegations of racism involving Inter’s Francesco Acerbi and Napoli’s Juan Jesus. No sanction, Serie A statement reports.
Juventus
Juventus could miss out on Thiago Motta as the manager may stay at Bologna…
Latvia
An absolute disaster at the back as Latvia score one of the quickest own goals ever! FT Latvia 1-1 Liechtenstein [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Liverpool
Khephren Thuram to Liverpool? Fabrizio Romano provides an update as the Nice midfielder changes agents.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new contract will be a priority for Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, with Neil Jones expecting him to stay at Liverpool - more in his exclusive column here.
Luis Diaz’s father Mane: “There was never anything serious with Real Madrid or Atlético. Liverpool were always more determined and concrete to sign Luis. We haven’t lost our hope yet…Luis is playing well and Spanish clubs are always active in the market.”
How worried do Liverpool fans need to be by this Luis Diaz transfer hint? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Donyell Malen transfer to Liverpool could be an option to replace Diaz, but how much truth is there to the speculation? Neil Jones has the latest info in his column.
Xabi Alonso to Liverpool - is it really in doubt? Neil Jones has an update in his exclusive column.
Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson was forced off for Scotland through injury. He did not look happy as he limped off in the 32nd minute.
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Manchester City
Has Erling Haaland’s next club already been decided?
Gareth Southgate: “John Stones had to leave the pitch due to a problem with his adductor, more tests will follow.”
Manchester City pushed very hard to sign Ethan Nwaneri from Arsenal before he was persuaded to stay, says Charles Watts.
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho has hinted pretty strongly about what went wrong for him during his time as manager of Manchester United…
Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo was awarded with the England Player of the Match… on his first start ever for his country.
Manchester United’s decision is clear ahead of summer transfer window: a new left-back will be signed. Internal talks will follow in order to prepare a shortlist of targets.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho will start for the first time for Argentina vs Costa Rica. Decision made by coach Scaloni as Garnacho will have important chance ahead of the Copa America.
Nice
French midfielder Khephren Thuram has decided to join Sport Cover as new agency, same as his brother Marcus. Thuram turns 23 today — currently under contract at OGC Nice until June 2025.
Portugal
Jose Mourinho: “I had the door open to be Portugal coach twice. First time when I was at Real Madrid but Florentino told me: no chance. The second time was at Roma, I was sacked few months later… but I don’t regret that because I’m happy with the reason.”
Real Madrid
“We are all waiting for you here”, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez tells Endrick after the game between Brazil and Spain.
Leny Yoro to Real Madrid remains one to watch as they push for the Lille wonderkid, though Chelsea are also interested…
Alphonso Davies remains a target for Real Madrid, and there could be key developments soon, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was subbed off for France tonight through injury. He’s suffered a sprained left ankle after undergoing initial tests. More tests to follow.
Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid rumours are not surprising, says Liverpool FC expert Neil Jones.
Spain
What a superb solo goal this was by Dani Olmo in Spain’s thrilling draw with Brazil! FT Spain 3-3 Brazil [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on Alvaro Morata boos: “Morata getting whistled at by the Bernabeu… it hurts me to the core that in my country, they boo a player of the national team, the captain who is a role model for us, an example. It really hurts. When I hear those boos I feel ashamed.”
Tottenham
Could Tottenham rival Arsenal for Pedro Neto? Fabrizio Romano has the latest info in his exclusive column.
Villarreal
Official, confirmed: Dani Parejo has signed a new contract at Villarreal valid until June 2026.
More about Brentford please