🚨 Benzema latest, Dortmund and Real Madrid iron out final Bellingham details, Barcelona tracking Bruno, Radriazzani’s Leeds statement, and more
The latest transfer news, featuring Bayern, Inter, Liverpool, Man United, and more.
Good morning and welcome to the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy today’s essential transfer round-up, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox as always!
Today’s top stories:
Karim Benzema is close to making a decision on his Real Madrid future
Newcastle are prepared to offer Bruno Guimarães a new long term deal
Liverpool hope to complete the deal for Alexis Mac Allister next week
Anderlecht
Etienne Camara has refused to sign new deal at Huddersfield. His current contract expires in June 2024. I understand that Anderlecht and Udinese both want to sign a player who’s part of France team at U20 World Cup.
Arsenal
📰 ‘Exceptional’ – Fulham star wanted by Arsenal almost certain to leave says Schwarzer [GegenPod via CaughtOffside]
Aston Villa
Ashley Young will leave Aston Villa after the expiration of his contract. Club statement: “Everyone at Aston Villa would like to sincerely thank Ashley for his service to the club and wish him all the very best.”
No change with Marco Asensio’s plans. He will leave Real Madrid, the decision was made last week. PSG are pushing his agent, Jorge Mendes, and that’s why there’s no green light for the Aston Villa proposal yet.
Barcelona
Newcastle are prepared to offer Bruno Guimarães a new long term deal. I’ve been told discussions have already started and are at the early stages. Barcelona and Liverpool are among the clubs that are tracking Bruno but they’re aware of Newcastle stance.
Click here for exclusive news on Lionel Messi’s future!
Bayern Munich
Dušan Vlahović remains on Bayern’s list as Thomas Tuchel is a big fan of the Serbian striker. Talks with Juventus are not at an advanced stage or concrete yet. It will depend on the final price and the opinion of Juve’s new director of football.
Kolo Muani on his future (via Sport1 journalist Christopher Michel): “I’ve still got a long term contract here. There’s no rush. That’s why there’s still a chance for me to stay and become the Bundesliga’s Golden Boot here next season.”
Bayern have completed the signing of Ljubo Puljić from NK Osijek for a fee of less than €1m. The talented Croatian centre-back joins on a long-term contract and he will initially be part of the U17 team.
Bournemouth
Jefferson Lerma has left Bournemouth on a free transfer as expected. The club was already informed of the player’s intentions and it’s now official. Crystal Palace are closing in on an agreement to sign the player, with only the final details to be resolved.
Borussia Dortmund
Interesting developments in the Jude Bellingham deal. Director, Sebastian Kehl, said: “I can say that things will become clear in the next few days and weeks. One of my tasks is to be prepared for everything. We will react accordingly, but nothing has happened at the moment.”
A new round of talks took place in the last 24 hours between both clubs, to advance the deal. They’re working on the add-ons structure, how they will be activated and final details. It’s the last step before the deal is done.
Brentford
Done deal for Mark Flekken after Brentford activated his €13m release clause from Freiburg. Documents have been signed and a club statement has confirmed that the deal has been completed, paving the way for David Raya to move on.
However, Raya’s Futbol21Pro agent, Jaume Munell, said: “If Brentford doesn’t lower the (£40m) price tag for David Raya this summer, we’ll be ready to leave as a free agent in one year.”
Brighton
Liverpool’s plan for the Alexis Mac Allister deal is to complete the player side details this week then finalise the deal next week.
The Reds are prepared to pay the exit clause [it’s less than reported £70m] if all goes to plan on the player’s side.
Celta Vigo
My understanding is that Gabri Veiga’s release clause is €40m, and as of this moment, that is the the only way to sign the player. No clubs have agreed terms, though there’s a feeling that the Premier League remains his most likely destination.
Chelsea
Manchester City have opened talks to sign Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic in the summer. Positive discussions have taken place with player’s camp in the last few days over personal terms, and Chelsea are open to selling the player as part of Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield revolution. Talks ongoing.
💬 What do YOU think of Chelsea’s decision to enter into talks with an EPL rival? Is this a decision Pochettino will live to regret? Let us know in the comments!
Crystal Palace
Jefferson Lerma has left Bournemouth on a free transfer as expected. The club was already informed of the player’s intentions and it’s now official. Crystal Palace are closing in on an agreement to sign the player, with only the final details to be resolved.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Kolo Muani on his future (via Sport1 journalist Christopher Michel): “I’ve still got a long term contract here. There’s no rush. That’s why there’s still a chance for me to stay and become Bundesliga’s Golden Boot here next season.”
Huddersfield
Etienne Camara has refused to sign new deal at Huddersfield. His current contract expires in June 2024. I understand that Anderlecht and Udinese both want to sign a player who’s part of France team at U20 World Cup.
Inter Milan
Inter’s vice president, Javier Zanetti spoke about Lautaro Martinez’s future: “I’m so calm as Lautaro’s really happy here at Inter. I haven’t heard anything about Real Madrid rumours, we know nothing about that.”
Juventus
Dušan Vlahović remains on Bayern’s list as Thomas Tuchel is a big fan of the Serbian striker. Talks with Juventus are not at an advanced stage or concrete yet. It will depend on the final price and the opinion of Juve’s new director of football.
Leeds United
Leeds president Andrea Radrizzani has released a statement following his completion of the Sampdoria deal:
Leicester City
Youri Tielemans has confirmed that he is leaving the Foxes this summer as a free agent. Several clubs are interested in signing him but nothing has been agreed as yet.
Liverpool
An opening bid from RB Leipzig has been turned down by Liverpool for Fabio Carvalho, as the Reds don’t want to lose him on a permanent deal, however, Liverpool could be open to a buy back option and that will be discussed in due course.
Newcastle are prepared to offer Bruno Guimarães a new long term deal. I’ve been told discussions have already started and are at the early stages. Barcelona and Liverpool are among the clubs that are tracking Bruno but they’re aware of Newcastle stance.
Liverpool’s plan for the Alexis Mac Allister deal is to complete the player side details this week then finalise the deal next week.
The Reds are prepared to pay the exit clause [it’s less than reported £70m] if all goes to plan on the player’s side.
Manchester City
Manchester City have opened talks to sign Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic in the summer. Positive discussions have taken place with player’s camp in the last few days over personal terms, and Chelsea are open to selling the player as part of Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield revolution. Talks ongoing.
Click here for an exclusive on which Man City star Bayern Munich want to sign!
Manchester United
Scott McTominay remains on the wanted list by Newcastle. Eddie Howe has wanted him since January, but Man United haven’t made any decision on the midfielder at this moment. A lot will depend on Erik ten Hag’s plans too.
Diogo Dalot has signed a new contract at Man United and it will be valid until June 2028. It’s a firm commitment from the club, with Erik ten Hag really wanting the player to stay as part of the project he’s building.
Dalot said: “Playing for Manchester United is one of the highest honours that you can have in football. I’ve grown so much and my passion for this incredible club has only increased since the day that I joined.”
📰 Mason Mount agrees terms with Man United [Telegraph via CaughtOffside]
Newcastle United
Scott McTominay remains on the wanted list by Newcastle. Eddie Howe has wanted him since January, but Man United haven’t made any decision on the midfielder at this moment. A lot will depend on Erik ten Hag’s plans too.
Newcastle are prepared to offer Bruno Guimarães a new long term deal. I’ve been told discussions have already started and are at the early stages. Barcelona and Liverpool are among the clubs that are tracking Bruno but they’re aware of Newcastle stance.
Norwich City
Norwich have completed the signing of Jack Stacey on a free transfer after he was released by Bournemouth. His contract is valid until 2026.
PSG
No change with Marco Asensio’s plans. He will leave Real Madrid, the decision was made last week. PSG are pushing his agent, Jorge Mendes, and that’s why there’s no green light for the Aston Villa proposal yet.
RB Leipzig
An opening bid has been turned down by Liverpool for Fabio Carvalho, as the Reds don’t want to lose him on a permanent deal, however, Liverpool could be open to a buy back option and that will be discussed in due course.
Real Madrid
Al Ittihad expect to have an answer from Karim Benzema very soon, with the official proposal for the Frenchman understood to be close to €100m per season plus benefits. Sources close to the deal also believe the decision won’t be long in coming. Benzema spoke with president, Florentino Perez, in the past 24 hours and will do so again today (Thursday). He is waiting for a final decision. Key hours ahead.
Interesting developments in the Jude Bellingham deal. Director, Sebastian Kehl, said: “I can say that things will become clear in the next few days and weeks. One of my tasks is to be prepared for everything. We will react accordingly, but nothing has happened at the moment.”
A new round of talks took place in the last 24 hours between both clubs, to advance the deal. They’re working on the add-ons structure, how they will be activated and final details. It’s the last step before the deal is done.
No change with Marco Asensio’s plans. He will leave Real Madrid, the decision was made last week. PSG are pushing his agent, Jorge Mendes, and that’s why there’s no green light for the Aston Villa proposal yet.
Real Madrid have decided not to trigger the €10m buy option for Vinicius Tobias, who has been on loan with Los Blancos from Shakhtar Donetsk. Discussions will begin shortly to find a solution, with a number of other clubs already showing an interest.
Roma
A disappointed Jose Mourinho spoke after losing the Europa League final to Sevilla: “My future? I will go on holiday on Monday. We will speak. I told the owners that I’ll let them know first in case I will open talks with another club. I told the club when Portugal called me in December for the national team job, but as of now, no other clubs have called me.
“I want to stay at AS Roma but my players deserve more. I deserve more. I’m really tired of being manager, head of communications, face of the club going to say we’ve been robbed… I want to stay but with the right conditions to give my best.”
Stuttgart
Stuttgart have actioned the buy option for the on-loan striker Serhou Guirassy. He signs from Stade Rennais on a three-year deal worth €9m.
Tottenham
Tottenham won’t trigger the £27m buy option for Danjuma, who’ll return to Villarreal as a result. With Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue Un clubs interested, he’ll likely be on the move again soon.
📰 Tottenham said to be firmly in the running for Premier League goalkeeper [Give Me Sport via CaughtOffside]
Udinese
Etienne Camara has refused to sign new deal at Huddersfield. His current contract expires in June 2024. I understand that Anderlecht and Udinese both want to sign a player who’s part of France team at U20 World Cup.
Villarreal
La Liga’s ‘Yellow Submarine’ Villarreal have a genuine interest in Dinamo Zagreb custodian, Dominik Livakovic. They don’t have an agreement in place at this stage but he remains top of their list for a new goalkeeper. Brentford’s David Raya is also appreciated but he remains far too expensive.
Tottenham won’t trigger the £27m buy option for Danjuma, who’ll return to Villarreal as a result. With Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue Un clubs interested, he’ll likely be on the move again soon.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Chelsea are in a bind. On the one hand, they have many players others value. On the other hand, they have about 35 players on their senior squad, many on high wages. So everyone knows they need to sell, and not that many clubs can afford to pay the high wages of certain of those players. So there are fewer possible buyers, and the transfer fees will not be as high as they would like. By letting their roster numbers get out of hand, they have created quite a problem for themselves. Not optimal to sell Kovacavic to City, but the Palaces of the world can use the same transfer funds and wages on multiple players. Sure Kovacavic would help them -- he could help many clubs, but for most the economics do not work.
I'm a Kovacic fan, but I think we may as well take this moment to reconfigure for a longer term future.