🚨 Bruno Fernandes GOLAZO, Everton crush Liverpool's title dreams, Ruben Amorim to Chelsea, Xavi U-turn, and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and much 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
Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal rumours emerge again - find out what Charles Watts knows about the situation in his exclusive column.
Will Thomas Partey stay at Arsenal this summer? Charles Watts has the details of this delicate situation in his exclusive column.
Michael Olise or Pedro Neto to Arsenal? Charles Watts takes a look at potential winger targets for the Gunners in his exclusive column.
Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard: “We saw and Edu especially, he was insistent to sign Martin. We both agreed he was a player with huge talent that could develop with us. We’ve always been convinced he was exceptional. We were convinced he could add something special.”
Arteta: “I must say that Kai Havertz’s overall contribution in every phase of play was tremendous. When you add the two goals he scored and some of the link-up play that he had in big moments, it was a great performance.”
Joshua Zirkzee to Arsenal talk continues, with things reportedly getting advanced…
Georgiy Sudakov to Arsenal? Reports from Italy suggest there could be a battle on with Napoli this summer.
Athletic Bilbao
Iker Muniain has confirmed he’s set to leave Athletic Club at the end of the current season, it’s over. After winning the Copa del Rey, Muniain has decided to leave Athletic. It’s the end of an era in Bilbao.
Barcelona
Xavi is set to STAY at Barcelona - Fabrizio Romano with all the details on this U-turn in his exclusive column.
Bernardo Silva to Barcelona could be more likely than the Manchester City star staying in the Premier League.
What does the future hold for Ferran Torres at Barca? Fabrizio Romano has his latest info in his exclusive column.
Barca vice president Rafa Yuste: “Xavi trusts our project. We can do great things together. We need to win titles, we all know that. We trust Xavi for that, he’s a proper Barca guy. He will be part of new Barcelona in the new Camp Nou.”
Bayern Munich
Ralf Rangnick confirms: “Bayern have made contact with me and I informed the Austrian Federation about it. My focus now is on Austria and the Euros. If Bayern will tell me: we want you... then I have to ask myself: do I want this at all?”
Fabrizio Romano with more on the Rangnick to Bayern talks in his exclusive column.
Austrian federation director Schottel about Rangnick: “When a club like Bayern comes knocking, it’s understandable that you think about the interest. There will be a deadline from Bayern, we all want to know. Decision will have to be done in a week or two.”
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino out and Ruben Amorim in? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the Chelsea manager situation in his exclusive column.
Benjamin Sesko to Chelsea? Latest on this saga in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Joshua Kimmich to Chelsea stories emerge - what do you make of the reports?
Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a towering header to give Everton an important win that could end Liverpool’s title hopes! FT Everton 2-0 Liverpool [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Heerenveen
Ex-Arsenal and Man Utd striker Robin van Persie is in advanced talks over his first manager job - full details in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
La Liga
Huge news yesterday from La Liga president Javier Tebas as he announced plans for some Spanish league games to be played abroad from 2025!
Liverpool
Liverpool missed some good chances last night - should Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have done better? FT Everton 2-0 Liverpool [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Virgil van Dijk: “If we play like this, we’ve no chance to consider ourselves in the title race. Everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances if they really give everything and ask if they wanna win the league?!”
Jurgen Klopp: “I can only apologize for today to the people. Everyone who is with us knows how hard it is as well but for other people it is especially hard. We should have done better but we didn't, that is why we lost.”
Liverpool are already discussing contract terms with Arne Slot, represented by Rafaela Pimenta. There aren’t any issues as he’s super keen on the job. He’s given his green light to the move on Tuesday, after initial positive contact. Meanwhile, Liverpool are discussing compensation with Feyenoord. There’s no release clause so the clubs have been in talks to agree on the manager’s fee. Despite an initial bid not being accepted, discussions remain ongoing with confidence.
Could this Liverpool star now be sold? Jamie Carragher thinks so…
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “My admiration for Roberto de Zerbi is growing up every season. The way they play is always there. De Zerbi has done, is doing, an incredible job in Brighton.”
Manchester United
That’s now 7 goals and 2 assists in the last 5 games for Bruno Fernandes! FT Manchester United 4-2 Sheffield United [Pictures from X/Man Utd]
There hasn’t been a Manchester United matchday squad without an academy graduate in it since 1937. Ethan Wheatley last night became the 250th academy player to appear for the Red Devils’ senior side.
Erik ten Hag: “We are not satisfied by being in the FA Cup final, we want to win it. That is what we will go for and it’s our mentality. That is why we are successful. That’s why I am successful over ten years as a manager, I always bring out the maximum of each squad.”
Jeremie Frimpong to Manchester United rumours continue, but what’s really going on? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Trouble between Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United?
Marseille
What a strike this was by Jonathan Clauss to level things up for Marseille! FT Marseille 2-2 Nice [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Newcastle United
Alexander Isak should be top of Arsenal’s list, but it looks very difficult to get him out of Newcastle, according to Charles Watts in his exclusive column.
Porto
Porto president Pinto da Costa: “Sergio Conceicao and Pepe have both signed new deals; only valid in case I will be re-elected as president.” Elections at FC Porto will take place on April 27th.
PSG
Kylian Mbappe is now on 43 goals in 43 games in all competitions this season after last night’s brace. 43 goals and 10 assists for the season, and how about this skill to set up Ousmane Dembele’s goal? FT Lorient 1-4 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Watford
Watford have confirmed the permanent appointment of Tom Cleverley as the Hornets’ Head Coach after his spell as interim manager.