🚨 Craig Shakespeare passes away, Olmo and Barça agree terms, Sarr unveiled, Fulham's new McTominay bid and more
Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today's top stories:
Newcastle are close to signing a 20 year old talent from Sheffield United
Plus more updates from PSG, Real Madrid & Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Eddie Nketiah and Olympique Marseille have reached an agreement on personal terms. It all depends on the clubs, deal not close yet with Arsenal — but negotiations continue.
Mikel Arteta gives worrying timescale for Riccardo Calafiori debut [Arsenal.com]
Arsenal are “really, really close” to signing No.2. Fabrizio Romano has all the details.
AS Roma
Artem Dovbyk, his agent Alex Liundovski and AS Roma management on their way to Italy to complete the move! Dovbyk only wanted AS Roma. Exclusive pic:
Roma reference street art in 2024/25 away kit [Football Italia]
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid are waiting for Conor Gallagher's decision, expecting the case to be clarified this weekend. There's still NO green light from the player so far... but contacts continue. Chelsea, waiting as they agreed with Atléti on €40m deal.
Barcelona
Barça reach agreement with Dani Olmo on contract until June 2030 and send new official bid! Details of the new proposal sent to RB Leipzig. €55m guaranteed. €4m easy add-ons. €3m difficult add-ons. Olmo has agreed a six year deal, he strongly wants Barça.
Barcelona starlet available for only €3m [Relevo]
What’s the latest on the futures of Sergi Roberto and Vitor Roque? Fabrizio Romano has an update.
Borussia Dortmund
Official, confirmed. Pascal Groß signs for Borussia Dortmund until June 2026. Next: Yan Couto, medical later today.
More on Karim Adeyemi. His move to Juventus can be considered currently OFF, as revealed earlier today. Borussia Dortmund want to keep Karim and only a huge proposal could change the story, while Juve never presented any formal bid. At current conditions, it won’t happen.
Burnley
Maxime Estève could be one to watch in August as Premier League clubs are exploring a move for the Burnley CB. Wolves have asked for conditions, race open for Estève.
Chelsea
The new contract proposed by Chelsea and twice rejected by Conor Gallagher was valid for two years plus an option for a further season. Chelsea agreed on a deal with Aston Villa for Gallagher in June, a club-record for Villa... Conor said no. Now, he has to decide on a move to Atléti.
Wesley Fofana: “I’m desperate to show why Chelsea bought me, of course… also because I love my club. When I joined Chelsea, then I realised my dream. I want to perform, I am hungry. I want to win titles for sure. I am ready to work hard for that.”
Understand Chelsea keep pushing and advancing on the Gabriel Mec deal with Gremio. Negotiations underway between clubs, Chelsea are opening talks with Gremio after the player’s green light to the project. 2008 born Brazilian talent, keen on Chelsea move.
Si Phillips does a deep dive into why the Man City fixture will be a different kettle of fish for Enzo Maresca.
Andrey Santos will be announced as a new signing for Strasbourg later today. Loan move from Chelsea, confirmed.
Napoli and Chelsea have reopened discussions for Romelu Lukaku. How will that affect any move for Victor Osimhen? Fabrizio Romano breaks the latest news down.
Como
Yannik Engelhardt to Como, deal done since last week as exclusively revealed. All documents in place for €8m package.
Crystal Palace
Official, confirmed. Crystal Palace sign Ismaïla Sarr from Olympique Marseille on a €16m deal. Intermediation done by Johnatan & Ilan Ruimy, Sasha Huet-Baranov while Sarr signs until June 2029.
Crystal Palace’s €20m offer for brilliant Michael Olise replacement [CaughtOffside]
What’s the latest on a Crystal Palace move for Wesley? Fabrizio Romano tells us more.
Feyenoord
Feyenoord goalkeeper Mikki van Sas could leave the club on loan this summer, possibility being discussed. He's attracting interest from Eredivisie clubs.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina are pushing in talks to sign Albert Gudmundsson, top target since January and still on their list. Nico González, among Juventus targets as reported yesterday and Fiorentina are considering new bid for Gudmundsson.
Fulham
Jorge Cuenca travelled to Fulham's pre-season camp yesterday after a deal was agreed with Villarreal. €8m package, add-ons included. Barcelona will receive 20% of the deal, as part of the agreement. Exclusive story, confirmed.
Fulham have submitted a new bid for Scott McTominay in excess of £20m, expected to be rejected. Man United would be open to selling for a fee close to £30m.
Lazio
Lazio director Fabiani: “I’d never sign James Rodriguez, impossible. The rumours are fake. He’s 33 and never played more than 12/13 games in the recent years… he did well in Copa América but we are not even interested in signing James.”
Lazio chief on Castellanos, Greenwood and Vitor Roque [Lazio Style Channel]
Leicester City
Devastating news as former Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare has passed away, aged 60. “Craig passed away peacefully this morning at home surrounded by his family,” the League Managers' Association noted. Rest in peace, Craig.
Steve Cooper shares his vision for his Leicester side [Leicestershire Live]
Lille
Osame Sahraoui, completing medical tests and then set to sign in as a new Lille player from Heerenveen. Aïssa Mandi also joins as a free agent from Villarreal on two year contract, as reported.
Liverpool
Sources confirm some very good news is on the way for Liverpool supporters [CaughtOffside]
Is Anthony Gordon still of interest to the Reds? Fabrizio Romano has the latest.
Manchester United
Fabrizio Romano has the truth behind the rumours that Man United ace, Leny Yoro, had fitness concerns that saw other teams pull out of the race for his signature.
Newcastle United
William Osula to Newcastle, here we go! Deal in place for a £10m fee plus £5m in add-ons for the 20 year old striker joining from Sheffield United. Final details being sorted then time to sign all documents.
Arsenal enquire about signing long-serving Newcastle man [Chronicle Live]
Nottingham Forest
Official, story confirmed. Jota Silva signs in as new Nottingham Forest player from Vitória.
Olympique Marseille
More on the exclusive Derek Cornelius story. Understand that the Canadian defender will travel to Marseille later today, medical this weekend as new OM player. €4.3m package confirmed, add-ons included. Cornelius signs at OM until June 2028.
PAOK
PAOK have activated the clause to sign Fedor Chalov from CSKA Moscow. Deal done, set to be signed.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica have signed all documents for the João Neves deal. All sealed at €60m fixed fee, €10m add-ons, Renato Sanches on loan to Benfica. João, successfully completing main part of medical tests at PSG and then set to sign his contract.
Real Betis
Real Betis have reached an agreement with Ricardo Rodriguez to join the club as free agent. Contract until June 2026, verbally agreed and waiting to get it signed.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti: “Vinicius Jr will win the Ballon d’Or, in my opinion. Carvajal also did really well, he won La Liga, the Champions League and scored in the final, won the Euros… But Vinicius… talented player, young, good image, won La Liga, won the Champions League scoring in the final and semi final. He scored two in Munich. Jude had a fantastic season. Winning the Champions League, winning the league, and it was a big surprise. The best player of the league season. Rodri also is a fantastic midfielder, one of the best midfielders in the competition, and consistent.”
Goalkeeper to become latest player to leave Real Madrid this summer [Relevo]
Real Sociedad
Luka Sučić has completed his move to Real Sociedad from Salzburg. Exclusive details: €10m transfer fee plus 10% sell-on clause. Contract until June 2029, medical done today.
Villarreal turn to Real Sociedad target to be their number nine [Relevo]
Sevilla
Lucien Agoumé will become a new Sevilla player this week, clubs are completing the deal. €4m fixed fee to Inter plus 50% sell-on clause, Agoumé already agreed on the contract days ago. He’s next Sevilla signing after unveiling Iheanacho.
Sevilla signing set to miss La Liga opener [ED]
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham exploring a move for Dominic Solanke, he’s among the targets for Spurs. Difficult deal to do as he’s a key player for Bournemouth, and no formal bid to the Cherries so far.
Ange Postecoglou gives promising update on three key Spurs players [Spurs Play]
West Ham United
Jean-Clair Todibo still hasn’t signed for Juventus. Should West Ham fans be getting excited? Fabrizio Romano advances the latest news on a deal for the defender.