🚨 Could Southgate replace Ten Hag at Man Utd? Plus Chelsea linked with €60m star, major Real Madrid update, interest in Arsenal wonderkid, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Is Gareth Southgate really a top target for Manchester United?
Jorginho’s Arsenal future and the race for this talented young striker
AC Milan
LAFC have reached a verbal agreement to sign Olivier Giroud on a contract valid until December 2025 After interest revealed in October and formal bid earlier this week, there’s an initial agreement in place. Nothing has been signed yet but it’s close to being done. Here we go, soon.
AC Milan consider Kevin Zeroli’s new deal as imminent, just matter of time before it’s signed. The conversations with his agent Rafaela Pimenta led to an agreement in principle two weeks ago, waiting on final details then all sealed.
Ajax
Pep Lijnders is one of the names in the shortlist at Ajax as potential new manager for next season. Lijnders is under consideration at the club, but still waiting on a decision. For sure, he will be leaving Liverpool alongside Jurgen Klopp - he’s not staying on beyond the end of this season.
Arsenal
There could be a major race to sign Arsenal striker Mika Biereth this summer - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column here.
Jorginho’s agent on Arsenal future: “We will discuss with Arsenal about his contract being due to expire in June, it’s our priority. Arsenal have fantastic group and we will see if they need him for next season. Returning to Italy? Why not? One day maybe.”
Could Arsenal swoop for this surprise left-back signing this summer?
Victor Osimhen to Arsenal rather than Chelsea?
Gareth Southgate: “It’s really for Ben White now… the door is open for us. I respected the situation as Arsenal have contacted us. I felt I should back away from it a little bit. But I’ve always left the door open. I was keen to bring him in this camp.”
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Aston Villa
Matty Cash will be out for up to three weeks due to hamstring injury, he will miss first Conference League leg against Lille. Cash will be regularly ready for final part of the season and the Euros in the summer.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are set to discuss new deal with Spain U21 goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe. Iturbe, under contract until June 2025 with several clubs following him but Atleti will discuss new deal soon. Iturbe started two consecutive games for Spain U21 this month.
Barcelona
There is some growing belief that Xavi could stay on as Barcelona manager under certain conditions…
Stanislav Lobotka: “Barcelona? I am a Napoli player. Of course, it’s a pleasure when your childhood idol (Xavi) praises you for how you play, it gives me energy to continue working on myself. We’ll see what happens in the summer.”
Bayern Munich
Good news for Bayern Munich as Harry Kane is back in team training, ready and available for the upcoming games, including the crucial Champions League tie vs Arsenal.
Matthijs de Ligt has confirmed that he plans to stay at Bayern: “I’m not thinking about a transfer, I’m happy at Bayern. The club and the fans have always given me a lot of love, I feel good.”
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.”
Chelsea
Sky Sports asked Romelu Lukaku: do you want to impress every time you come back to England? Lukaku: “You’ll have to ask Chelsea!”, he said smiling.
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia is to miss the remainder of this season following a setback in his recovery. Club staff confirms he won’t be able to play anymore this season.
Romeo Lavia statement: “Hi Chelsea family. As you may know and despite my countless efforts, I will be missing the remainder of the season. This has been a frustrating season for me, not being able to help my teammates. I love this squad, this badge and being on the pitch more than anything. Trust that I have given my all every day to get back. Thank you for the love, support and critics because they all affect me positively and keep me going. Can’t wait to give it back and share many special moments together. See you soon.”
Victor Osimhen to Arsenal rather than Chelsea?
Dani Olmo to Chelsea? Nothing concrete on this yet, but he will have a rather tempting release clause this summer.
Crystal Palace
England and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will miss Euro 2024 and the rest of the season due to injury. Johnstone had surgery yesterday morning to repair an injured elbow.
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi on retirement: “I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or not able to help my team-mates, then I will stop. For my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.”
Juventus
Samuel Iling-Junior could be on the move in the summer as clubs in Italy and England are showing serious interest in the winger. Iling-Junior, out of contract in June 2025 and currently not in active talks to sign new deal despite good relationship with Juve.
Iling-Junior was considered by Tottenham in January, but what about the summer?
Gleison Bremer to Manchester United transfer could be on as the Red Devils are ready to pay the Juventus defender’s release clause!
LAFC
LAFC have reached a verbal agreement to sign Olivier Giroud on a contract valid until December 2025 After interest revealed in October and formal bid earlier this week, there’s an initial agreement in place. Nothing has been signed yet but it’s close to being done. Here we go, soon.
Liverpool
Liverpool will decide on a centre-back signing once this key thing happens - more info here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Ruben Amorim to Liverpool as an alternative to Xabi Alonso?
Pep Lijnders is one of the names in the shortlist at Ajax as potential new manager for next season. Lijnders is under consideration at the club, but still waiting on a decision. For sure, he will be leaving Liverpool alongside Jurgen Klopp - he’s not staying on beyond the end of this season.
Manchester City
Manchester City have signed all documents to bring in Jayden Lienou as left-back for the Academy. The 2008-born full-back joins from Everton as part of a long term strategy to sign the best talents, beating two more top English clubs to the signing.
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Manchester United
Gareth Southgate to be Manchester United manager? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the story and Erik ten Hag’s job safety…
Gleison Bremer to Manchester United transfer could be on as the Red Devils are ready to pay the Juventus defender’s release clause!
Jude Bellingham: “Kobbie Mainoo is very good. I know how hard it can be when there's a clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you… but he’s definitely a brilliant player. He’s going to have an amazing future at Man United and hopefully for England as well.”
Napoli
Stanislav Lobotka: “Barcelona? I am a Napoli player. Of course, it’s a pleasure when your childhood idol (Xavi) praises you for how you play, it gives me energy to continue working on myself. We’ll see what happens in the summer.”
PSG
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi: “I’m very happy with Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Danilo Pereira, Nuno Mendes and our Portuguese director Luis Campos. I’m proud to have them as Portugal is huge country for football, always producing lot of talent.”
RB Leipzig
Dani Olmo’s contract at RB Leipzig includes a €60m release clause that will become active starting from this summer. It’s the first time since signing a new deal in 2023 that the clause will be there. Olmo scored in his first game as new number 10 for Spain, and could be one to watch in the summer.
Real Madrid
Toni Kroos will stay and continue at Real Madrid as a new one-year deal until 2025 is set to be agreed! Direct talks between Kroos and Real on contract and it’s now just a formality to sign, imminent. Super season again for Kroos at Real and also with Germany now.
Real Madrid are ready for Alphonso Davies transfer talks - more detail in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Eduardo Camavinga’s injury is not serious as Real Madrid staff believe he won’t be out for a long time. The club will confirm with final tests if he can be already available against Athletic Bilbao this weekend.
Roma
Sky Sports asked Romelu Lukaku: do you want to impress every time you come back to England? Lukaku: “You’ll have to ask Chelsea!”, he said smiling.
Tottenham
Samuel Iling-Junior to Tottenham? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the Juventus man’s future in his latest exclusive column.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on lack of game time: “Of course I’m not happy with what’s going on at the club. It’s not a secret, but it’s not something I make a fuss about either. I’m giving it my all to show the coach that he should believe in me.”