🚨 Casemiro scores to set up Man Utd-Liverpool tie, TRUTH about Mudryk and Arsenal, long list of suitors for Olise and Neto, latest on Alonso's future, Barca candidates & more
Today's Briefing, featuring Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and much more!
Good morning folks and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Casemiro scores the winner and Man Utd face Liverpool in the next round
What’s the truth about those Mykhailo Mudryk and Arsenal stories?
AC Milan
Rafael Leao when asked where does he see his future: “AC Milan.”
How significant is this claim from Leao on his future? Fabrizio Romano has more info here.
Milan are among the admirers of Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres who has 30 goals this season. However, he has a big asking price and there is plenty of competition.
Arsenal
Mykhailo Mudryk was in tears on the phone to Arsenal as that transfer fell through and he joined Chelsea instead.
Fabrizio Romano’s thoughts here on the Mudryk and Arsenal saga.
Douglas Luiz to Arsenal rumours are sure to emerge again after this picture on social media…
Pedro Neto transfer looks like one to watch for Arsenal again, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Barcelona
Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with Barcelona - Fabrizio Romano responds to the stories here.
Could Xavi stay at Barcelona? Fabrizio Romano responds to this surprise story.
Joao Cancelo to Barcelona latest on this transfer potentially being made permanent.
Bayer Leverkusen
Could Xabi Alonso stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more season? Fabrizio Romano isn’t so convinced…
Three Leverkusen stars are likely to be targeted by Premier League clubs this summer! Fabrizio Romano has the details here.
Bayern Munich
Bayern may have one crucial edge over Liverpool in the race to hire Xabi Alonso - more in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Mathys Tel will stay at Bayern, as club has confirmed on Monday during the meeting with his agent. Tel also wants to stay as he dreams of becoming Bayern legend.
New Bayern director Max Eberl: “We will bring in stars, but also fin ways to promote player development. We want to have the players who are the best possible fit for Bayern.”
Chelsea
Conor Gallagher scored this late winner as Chelsea progressed past Leeds in the FA Cup. FT Chelsea 3-2 Leeds [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Chelsea could be ones to watch in the transfer race for Michael Olise this summer, says Fabrizio Romano.
Raheem Sterling’s intermediaries have never engaged or discussed with Al Hilal despite reports. Spoke to player’s intermediaries who are firmly denying that as “Raheem is as committed as ever to the Chelsea project”.
Read more about those Raheem Sterling Saudi transfer rumours here.
Mykhailo Mudryk was in tears on the phone to Arsenal as that transfer fell through and he joined Chelsea instead.
Fabrizio Romano’s thoughts here on the Mudryk and Arsenal saga.
Mauricio Pochettino on rumours about European spot crucial to stay as Chelsea manager: “Who said that? Is that being said by the sporting directors and the owners? No. I don’t remember, I don’t.”
Pochettino: “Always it is about time. The problem is that we need time and patience to win games, and we need the patience from the owners to have the possibility to keep going...”
Classy message from Jurgen Klopp on Chelsea: “I’m the one who knows what it’s like to lose five or six finals in a row… I can imagine how it was for Chelsea. Everybody tells you: by the way, you lost the last five and that’s a new record. It’s not nice and I really felt for them.”
Could Chelsea need another solution for the Romelu Lukaku transfer?
Copenhagen
Roony Bardghji - a strange case for one of best talents in Europe. From being top scorer with ten goals for Copenhagen to… zero minutes in first games of 2024. The reason is that Bardghji has no intention to sign a new long term deal - from the summer, he will only have 18 months left on his contract with several top clubs monitoring him.
Crystal Palace
Cheick Doucoure has signed a new long-term contract with Crystal Palace until June 2029. Huge one for Crystal Palace after Doucoure was on many clubs’ list last summer including Liverpool. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch as quickly as possible,” the player said.
Marc Guehi has undergone minor surgery and it went very well — as he’s expected to be sidelined for max 6-8 weeks. Guehi is expected to play the last couple of games for Crystal Palace ahead of the Euros.
FA Cup quarter-final draw
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Chelsea vs Leicester City
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
Wolves vs Coventry City
Inter Milan
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi on links with other clubs: “I’m very happy here at Inter. New deal? Not an issue. I feel very good at this club, with this board and of course with my players. I’m only focused on our performances.”
Liverpool
Jayden Danns produced this quality finish on a memorable night for him in the FA Cup! FT Liverpool 3-0 Southampton [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Jayden Danns: “It’s a dream come true, I’ve supported the club since birth, I won’t sleep tonight! It doesn’t feel real to score in front of the Kop.”
Liverpool transfer plans could involve signing this Premier League winger…
Liverpool owners want to give one last try to bring Michael Edwards back to the club. FSG want Edwards to take over football and put new structure in place, including new sporting director. Edwards has currently shown NO sign of saying yes — but Liverpool will try again. FSG want new structure to be decided as soon as possible, it won’t take long. Final attempt for Michael Edwards with an answer soon… or they will move on in March. This is crucial as they want their new structure in place before they appoint a new manager.
Could Trent Alexander-Arnold play in a new position for Liverpool next season?
Alan Varela to Liverpool could be a story to keep an eye on…
Classy message from Jurgen Klopp on Chelsea: “I’m the one who knows what it’s like to lose five or six finals in a row… I can imagine how it was for Chelsea. Everybody tells you: by the way, you lost the last five and that’s a new record. It’s not nice and I really felt for them.”
Jorg Schmadtke: “At Liverpool, we brought Dominik Szoboszlai for €70m from RB Leipzig and at the time I said it’s too expensive. From today’s perspective, that was a misjudgement on my part. The boy was an important player from day one.”
Manchester City
Douglas Luiz to return to Manchester City for £100m?
Manchester United
Casemiro bagged this late winner for Man United to set up a quarter-final clash with Liverpool! FT Nottingham Forest 0-1 Man Utd [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Erik ten Hag on Antony: “We will support him. I know what he is capable of. I have seen it. I have seen for Ajax in 88 games as he scored 24 goals and 22 assists and was performing in the UCL. He was unstoppable. When he’s on top form, no defender can stop him.”
What’s really going on with Antony’s Man Utd future? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his exclusive column.
Player sales look likely for Man Utd’s transfer plans this summer, but who could be the main names made available?
Michael Olise to Manchester United - exclusive update from Fabrizio Romano.
Roony Bardghji has been scouted by Man United - more in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Ten Hag on his future: “I know what I'm doing. I've had many talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and consistently we are having talks about the future. All these talks are about the future together. I’m under contract here at Man United for three seasons. So I don’t care about rumours. I’m in this process and only focusing on the process. I have a strong belief and I feel after multiple talks that INEOS believe me.”
Newcastle United
Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the Newcastle job, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano has his latest info in his exclusive column.
PSG
Rafael Leao to PSG remains an option, but there are other priorities as well…
Leny Yoro transfer is also seen as key to PSG’s plans, says Fabrizio Romano.
Torino
Dutch centre-back Perr Schuurs has just signed for Muy Manero agency. He’s ready to return after an ACL injury, he did great in Italy at Torino before that attracting interest from many clubs. Several clubs remain keen on signing Schuurs and are set to return this summer.
Tottenham
Pedro Neto is seen as ideal for Tottenham - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Roony Bardghji to Spurs could be another deal to keep an eye on…
Wolves
Mario Lemina scored in the second minute and it was enough to help Wolves beat Brighton in the FA Cup. FT Wolves 1-0 Brighton [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]