🚨 Cristiano's BOLD claims, Bebé's STUNNER, Hendo's explanation, captain Toney, Klopp's WORRY, West Ham want Phillips and more
Today's headlines, featuring Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal plus AFCON goal highlights.
Good morning folks and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading as always, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan and Inter looked destined to leave San Siro, but the Milan Council are planning a €300m move to get them to stay [Sempre Milan]
Almeria present offer for Milan youngster Luka Romero [Calciomercato]
Who is going to be Milan’s Olivier Giroud replacement? Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto discuss the situation.
AFCON
Cape Verde dispatched Mozambique 3-0 in the only African Cup of Nations game on Friday. The game was lit up by two stunning goals from Bebé and Kevin Pina [pictures from Sky Football and beIN Sports].
Egyptian Federation announces “the injury of Mo Salah with a strain in the hamstring muscle will cause him to miss two matches in the Africa Cup of Nations against Cape Verde and in the Round of 16 in the case of qualification.”
Ajax
Jordan Henderson spoke about his decision to move to Ajax and why he left the Saudi Pro League so quickly [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about various subjects on Friday at the Globe Soccer Awards and made some very bold claims: “Manchester City did amazing. Congratulations on their season. Players, coach. Superb. Finally they win the Champions League, they probably deserved it two years ago. I enjoy seeing them playing… Manchester City have a good chance to win the Champions League again. Favourites? Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern… I feel so happy at Al Nassr, it’s a great move. Saudi is in a process, it will take a long time, but step by step they will go to the top level. I think the Saudi Pro League will be among top three leagues in the world. People in Saudi will be proud… The Saudi League is not worse than Ligue1. Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than the French league already now… I was the best goalscorer this season, imagine beating young animals like Haaland. I’m proud - and I’ll be 39 soon. I like when people doubt me again and then I’m successful. I don’t get affected by the criticism… The moment I feel I’m done, I'll retire - maybe in 10 years.”
Arsenal
West Ham are linked with Emile Smith Rowe and Fabrizio Romano has detailed what “Arsenal want.”
Fabrizio Romano makes sense of the rumours surrounding Arsenal’s potential move for Karim Benzema.
Mikel Arteta set out his ambitions for the second half of the season in his pre-match press conference for the Crystal Palace game [pictures from Sky Sports News]
Atlético Madrid
Moise Kean has already agreed to join Atlético Madrid but it all depends on the Ángel Correa deal. Atlético are still in talks with Al Ittihad for Correa, and negotiations continue despite distance on the asking price. Correa is keen on the move and waiting for clubs to advance in talks.
Second club close to agreement for Atlético Madrid defender [Yagiz Sabuncuoglu]
Horatiu Moldovan will replace Grbić as Atléti will sign the Romanian GK from Rapid Bucharest — release clause triggered for €800k. Moldovan will sign until June 2028.
Barcelona
Barcelona are preparing their official bid for Lucas Bergvall after talks in recent months. Barça plan to close the deal now but let the player stay at Djugården until June. Eintracht remain interested and keep pushing but Bergvall’s priority is Barça.
Jules Koundé shifts focus onto players for poor performances [Mundo Deportivo]
Bayern Munich
Things aren’t working out for Matthijs de Ligt at Bayern Munich and he’s likely to be sold in the summer. Christian Falk has the inside track.
Bayern are interested in Xavi Simons but as Christian Falk notes, they face competition from a Premier League giant.
Talks between Bayern and PSG for Nordi Mukiele remain ongoing. Not easy to agree on a loan deal but all parties keep working on it as he’s the priority target. Thomas Tuchel has approved Kieran Trippier as a potential secondary solution for a new right-back.
Brentford
Ivan Toney makes his long-awaited return for Brentford against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Manager, Thomas Frank, has made him captain, and talked about the striker’s excitement to be back playing again [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Brentford are close to a deal for a breakout La Liga star [Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto]
Chelsea
Chelsea have decided to recall Cesare Casadei from his Leicester loan. It’s all done and 100% guaranteed.
Si Phillips on why Victor Osimhen is over priced and Karim Benzema is a no-brainer for Chelsea.
Kepa looks increasingly likely to return to Chelsea. Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto explain why it’s not working out for him at Real Madrid.
Copa del Rey Quarter-Final draw
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey took place on Friday afternoon and the two outstanding ties of the round see Atlético Madrid host Sevilla, whilst former Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, can put some pressure on his old club and current incumbent, Xavi, as the Catalans travel to San Mamés and a date with Athletic Club.
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson goes into the London derby against Arsenal feeling positive but also wary of the threat that the Gunners possess [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Hadjuk Split
Hajduk Split confirm Ivan Perisić joins on loan from Spurs. Reports of contract until June 2025 were wide of mark — he’s joining until the end of the season to make history at Hajduk.
Juventus
Tiago Djaló will travel to Turin on Sunday as he’s set to undergo medical tests as a new Juventus player on Monday. Contract until June 2028, €3.5m plus 10% sell on clause to Lille. He’s staying in the Juventus squad, no loan. Here we go, confirmed.
Juventus receive green light for January signing [Gazzetta dello Sport]
Leicester City
Leicester City will now try to close a deal for Stefano Sensi. Talks advancing with Inter to get it done on a permanent move, not loan. Enzo Maresca wants Sensi to replace Casadei who’s returning to Chelsea.
Liverpool
What next for Liverpool target Donyell Malen? Christian Falk has an exclusive deep dive.
Jurgen Klopp discussed the potential hamstring injury to Mo Salah which could rule him out of the rest of the African Cup of Nations [pictures from Sky Sports News]
Manchester City
If City want to sign Florian Wirtz, they’ll need to cough up a massive €130m. Christian Falk tells us why.
Erling Haaland after winning the Globe Soccer Award: “Manchester City is a fantastic club, I really enjoy being here. I hope to be back really soon from injury, I’m getting bored of not playing.”
Manchester United
Port Vale are closing in on a deal to sign Dan Gore on loan from Manchester United. Agreement being finalised.
Two big names could leave Man United this summer [ESPN]
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG manager Luis Enrique plays down stories about Gonçalo Ramos set to leave. “Gonçalo and Kolo Muani are top-level strikers. I am very happy with both of them. They are the present and I hope the future of the club, I’m very happy we were able to bring them in.”
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have sealed a deal to sign Jeremy De Leon for Castilla. Deal valid until June 2026. De Leon only wanted to join Real Madrid despite two more bids from La Liga clubs. Medical booked — he will be the first Puerto Rican player to join Real Madrid.
Saudi Pro League
Fabrizio Romano lifts the lid on Jose Mourinho’s next destination
Sheffield United
Ivo Grbić leaves Atlético Madrid to join Sheffield United on a permanent deal for a €2.5m fee.
The Debrief Podcast
Is the Chelsea project working? Ben and Angus are joined by Scott Trotter of Football London to take a deep dive into the Chelsea project at the 18-month mark. Is is working and what does the future look like at Stamford Bridge? As always, Fabrizio Romano joins to dish on the latest transfer rumours including fresh links between Saudi Arabia and Chelsea, including a possible Karim Benzema move to London.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham and Club Brugge are in talks regarding a transfer for Antonio Nusa. Fabrizio Romano has the latest.
Tottenham given huge boost ahead of Man City cup tie [The Telegraph]
Villarreal
Official, confirmed. Gonçalo Guedes joins Villarreal from Wolves as he leaves Benfica.
West Ham United
West Ham have approached Arsenal to discuss a loan deal for Emile Smith-Rowe. Talks taking place to understand if there’s way to structure a deal between the two clubs.
What’s the latest on a Hammers move for Leeds’ Wilfred Gnonto? Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto have more.
28-year-old set to join West Ham from Germany [BILD via Hammers News]
