🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo sees RED, Joao Felix's HUGE transfer claim, Man City eye Brazil midfielder, plus could Arsenal star's future be in doubt?
Today's round-up, featuring Man City, Arsenal, Barcelona and more!
Good morning! Welcome to the Daily Briefing - your essential round-up of football news all in one place. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Ajax
Has Graham Potter really turned down the Ajax job? Fabrizio Romano addresses the speculation in his exclusive column here.
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo got himself a red card for this clash in Al Nassr’s game against Al Hilal yesterday! FT Al Hilal 2-1 Al Nassr [Pictures from SSC 1]
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus on Arsenal signing a striker: “They already know if they want to [sign a striker], so maybe this question is not for me! My job is to try to work, train hard, improve what I have to improve and in the games try to help Arsenal win and then after obviously win trophies. The speculation will always be there, not only here but every club. People want to decide who the club want to sign. This is happening not just at Arsenal but at a lot of clubs.”
What is the latest on Gabriel Jesus’ future, and how could Arsenal signing a striker impact his situation? Fabrizio Romano has the details in his exclusive column.
Will Kieran Tierney return to Arsenal after his loan with Real Sociedad? Matteo Moretto takes a look in his exclusive column.
Barcelona
Joao Felix: “I’m very happy in Barcelona. I love the city, the people, the club. My position is clear. The dressing room is also incredible, I really hope to stay at the club beyond this season.”
Felix: “I think I’ve convinced Bernardo Silva to join Barca, that’s all true! But it doesn’t depend on him right now. He asked me about places to live, places to eat, safety... everything! If he comes, Barca will be delighted with Bernardo.”
So, is Bernardo Silva to Barcelona now a foregone conclusion? Not necessarily - Fabrizio Romano explains why in his exclusive column.
Reports also suggest Xavi has already spoken with Bernardo Silva about a move…
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Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, Noussair Mazraoui and also Aleksandar Pavlovic are all back in team training for Bayern. Only Sacha Boey and Bouna Sarr will miss tonight’s Champions League game against Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel: “I always give everything for the team that I coach. I will give everything for Bayern until the last game. I’m fine with the decision. In the end it’s just football. Me and my coaching staff are our harshest critics. We’ll see this through to the end.”
Ralf Rangnick: “I didn’t have any talk or negotiation with Bayern. Why should I? I feel comfortable here. My contract with Austria runs until 2026, our goal and our path will continue after the Euros.”
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino: “The team is not showing in the last few months the capacity to be solid. Even if after Wolves we didn’t lose a game in Premier League. We score goals but we are conceding. That is why we are being punished. We need to be more clinical.”
A look at how these Chelsea flops have been revived at AC Milan!
Could Raheem Sterling be sold by Chelsea this summer?
Everton
Everton have been given a two point deduction due to breach of Premier League financial rules. The Toffees are now just two points above the relegation zone.
Inter Milan
What drama as Inter snatched a stoppage time winner through Davide Frattesi! FT Udinese 1-2 Inter [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Juventus
Juventus are one step away from signing Felipe Anderson as a free agent from Lazio. A formal proposal has been sent to the Brazilian winger, with a deal imminent. The verbal agreement is at the final stages, with details being sorted and then: here we go!
Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik has now signed with CAA Stellar as new representatives ahead of the summer transfer window. He’s currently under contract at Juve until June 2026.
It looks a concrete possibility for Milik to leave Juventus this summer, but where could he move next?
Liverpool
Ruben Amorim to Liverpool talk is gathering pace, with some claims that he’s agreed a contract with the Reds - here’s Fabrizio Romano’s latest information.
Rodrygo reveals: “I almost joined Liverpool in 2017, the deal was done for €3m. It collapsed because I said no. I wanted to stay at Santos, make history, finish my studies and then leave… even though the offer from Liverpool was very good.”
Alan Varela to Liverpool? Reports suggest the Reds are monitoring the Porto midfielder closely…
Liverpool also like Crysencio Summerville, but could face competition from AC Milan and a Premier League rival…
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “Ederson or Ortega vs Real Madrid? I have to think about it because Ederson comes back from being injured and feels good. So I have to decide if a lack of rhythm. But we’re really pleased from Stefan, an exceptional keeper!”
Guardiola: “The best player to control Vinicius is Walker, but got injured in training. We have to find a solution. Gvardiol is here but he's a doubt for tomorrow. Real Madrid had Courtois, Militao and Alaba out for months... it’s about finding solutions.”
Joao Felix: “I think I’ve convinced Bernardo Silva to join Barca, that’s all true! But it doesn’t depend on him right now. He asked me about places to live, places to eat, safety... everything! If he comes, Barca will be delighted with Bernardo.”
So, is Bernardo Silva to Barcelona now a foregone conclusion? Not necessarily - Fabrizio Romano explains why in his exclusive column.
Could Lucas Paqueta to Man City be an option to replace Silva this summer? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag: “Willy Kambwala is progressing well. The next generation need to step in, he is doing brilliant. The challenge for him is doing it consistently. Great opportunity for him, he deserved to play and he showed it on the pitch.”
Casemiro: “Sometimes, I can’t even sleep to try to think about doing something different. It’s reality. There’s no point in thinking about title or Champions League places, we need to think about the last games.”
Raphael Varane to leave Manchester United? Reports suggest this decision has been all but made.
Real Madrid
Could Achraf Hakimi return to Real Madrid? Matteo Moretto takes a look in his exclusive column.
Antonio Rudiger: “I was a little surprised by Jude Bellingham at first, I didn't know him that well. But my goodness… what a personality! He doesn’t look like he’s 20 years old. I'm sure he will be a leader because for his age he is very mature, he’s special.”
Rodrygo reveals: “I almost joined Liverpool in 2017, the deal was done for €3m. It collapsed because I said no. I wanted to stay at Santos, make history, finish my studies and then leave… even though the offer from Liverpool was very good.”
River Plate
The release clause for Franco Mastantuono at River Plate will be valid for €45m in the summer. It will go up to €50m if triggered in the final ten days of the transfer window.
Tottenham
Timo Werner would be happy to stay at Spurs, waiting for the club to make decision on buy option clause - worth €17m. Werner: “I’m enjoying it a lot. Playing with this team, these teammates, in this style and in this stadium... I love it here!”
Udinese
This has to be one of the weirdest goals of the season by Udinese - what happened to the Inter defence here? FT Udinese 1-2 Inter [Pictures from TNT Sports]
