🚨 Chelsea deal agreed, Arsenal's Raya interest explained, Dembele says yes to Barcelona exit, Kovacic comments on Gvardiol deal, and more
Today's Briefing, featuring major stories at Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Yunus Musah to AC Milan, here we go! An agreement has been sealed between Milan and Valencia on a €20m package deal, add ons included. He’ll sign a five-year contract and have his medical this week.
Polish wonderkid midfielder Mateusz Skoczylas (born 2006) is on the verge of joining AC Milan. A deal has been agreed and is set to be signed early next week. The highly rated talent, Skoczylas will join AC Milan from Polish side Zaglebie Lubin.
Al Ahli
Official, confirmed. Allan Saint-Maximin has joined Al Ahli on a permanent transfer from Newcastle. They now have a front three of Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Al Hilal
After Kylian Mbappe, Al Hilal have another huge signing in their sights - more here.
Al Nassr
Sadio Mane will undergo medical tests as a new Al Nassr player on Monday evening in Dubai. No medical yesterday or today despite reports. Tests booked on Monday then Mane will sign the contract.
💬 Who’s been the best signing by a Saudi club so far this summer?
Arsenal
Arsenal have been interested in David Raya for some time - details on Mikel Arteta’s plans for him here.
📰 Arsenal remain keen on a move for Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus (Express)
Barcelona
Barcelona are eyeing two potential signings for the right back position - full info here.
Ousmane Dembele has said YES to a move to PSG - full details here.
Bayern Munich
David de Gea will be a key part of the goalkeeper domino in the next few days. Understand he has two important bids from Saudi — as talks are ongoing. Bayern also made contact with De Gea’s camp one week ago as with Yassine Bounou but Raya was a priority target at that time, though the Raya-Bayern deal is now off.
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- Christian Falk - Bild’s Head of Football provides a deep-dive into the Bundesliga deals
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- Neil Jones - Goal and Liverpool Echo lead analyses all the key developments on Merseyside
- Jonathan Johnson - CBS Paris based journalist gives us the inside track on what’s really going on at PSG and across Ligue 1
Besiktas
Ante Rebic will land in Istanbul in order to be unveiled as a new Besiktas player. A permanent transfer has been completed from AC Milan.
Brentford
Thomas Frank on David Raya deal: “He’s worth £40m fee — he was one of the four best keepers in the PL last season. What is the fair price for a player with one year left? Declan Rice went to Arsenal for £105m? And Harry Kane, they're talking about £150m?”
Chelsea
Chelsea have sealed a deal for Axel Disasi - full details here.
What happened with Chelsea’s interest in Matheus Franca? More info here.
Lesley Ugochukwu has signed his contract as a new Chelsea player. Next, a final decision on a loan to Strasbourg will be made in the next few days. Mauricio Pochettino will decide together with the board on best next step for Ugochukwu.
Pochettino on strikers: “Today we were happy with the performance, Nkunku and Jackson can complement very well. If the club can add some different profiles to help us we are open but I am so happy with both.”
📰 Chelsea are interested in Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (Mail)
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are set to sign Brazilian talent Matheus Franca, but what happened with Chelsea and Newcastle’s pursuit of the player? More info on that here.
Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce are set to sign Mert Muldur from Sassuolo, here we go! A deal is in place for €3.5m fee plus add ons to the Italian club. The right-back will be in Istanbul later today in order to undergo a medical.
Galatasaray
This could be a crucial week for Fred - more info here.
Inter Miami
Luis Suarez has agreed with Gremio to terminate his contract in December 2023; despite the deal initially being due to expire in December 2024. Inter Miami remain interested in signing Suarez as a free agent for 2024, after deal collapsed this summer.
Manchester City
Mateo Kovacic on Josko Gvardiol deal: “He’s ready for Man City step. He can come to City and learn and be the best version of himself. I’d obviously like it! I’m a good friend with Josko and he’s Croatian. It would be nice to have a Croatian by my side here.”
This Man City star is a top target for Barcelona - more here.
Manchester United
Manchester United have started preparing documents and paperwork in order to get the Rasmus Hojlund deal signed and sealed early next week.
Why did Man Utd miss out on Axel Disasi? Full info here.
Manchester United expect this player to leave and it could be a key week ahead - more info here.
Marcus Rashford admits he considered his Man Utd future before Erik ten Hag arrived: “Before the manager [Ten Hag] came maybe a little bit, but it’s football, it happens. Everything is going to happen for a reason and he came to the club at the right time for me, the timing worked out.”
💬 How would you rate United’s window out of 10 so far?
Marseille
Iliman Ndiaye to Olympique Marseille, here we go! A deal with Sheffield United is all done and agreed. Ndiaye will sign until June 2028 as a new OM player after long, difficult talks — one more big signing. Ndiaye arrived yesterday for medical tests and contract signing.
Napoli
Could Napoli lose a star player to a Saudi Pro League club? Details here.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest will sign only one goalkeeper this summer between Matt Turner and Dean Henderson. Forest already asked Arsenal about the final conditions of the Turner deal — and it would be a permanent transfer.
PSG
Ousmane Dembele has said YES to a move to PSG - full details here.
Official. Arnau Tenas has signed as new PSG goalkeeper on a free transfer from Barcelona - it’s done.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com