🚨 Dortmund beat wasteful PSG! Plus latest on Liverpool targets under Slot, big-name Bayern stars could leave, Arsenal eye wonderkid, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Dortmund's win over PSG, Liverpool targets, Arsenal links, and more...
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Dortmund have a narrow advantage over PSG in the UCL semi-final
Plus more on Chelsea, Man City, and Man United
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace for Al Nassr last night making it 44 goals in 45 games all competitions this season! FT Al Nassr 3-1 Al Khaleej [Pictures from SSC 1]
Arsenal
Marc Guehi to Arsenal? He could leave Crystal Palace this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Gabriel Jesus leaving Arsenal now looks like a more serious possibility after a dramatic development.
Semih Kilicsoy to Arsenal? The Turkish wonderkid is available and there’s a lot of interest…
Barcelona
Could Ilkay Gundogan leave Barcelona already? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the rumours in his exclusive column.
Raphinha transfer to cost €100m? Reports suggest there’s interest from the Premier League but Barcelona won’t let the winger go for cheap.
Pedri new Barcelona contract talks have been delayed for a concerning reason, according to latest reports.
Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest will be out until 2025 due to an ACL injury, as club confirms. PSV Eindhoven wanted to trigger €10m buy option for Dest, they are very happy with the player but the injury can change the situation in terms of negotiations.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes: “My good feeling is that Jonathan Tah is staying. I am relaxed about that. He knows what happened here in the past few years and also what is still possible.”
Bayern Munich
Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano are two names who could leave Bayern this summer - more exclusive info in Fabrizio Romano’s latest column.
Bayern are discussing final details with Ralf Rangnick in order to complete the agreement really soon. The appointment is really close. Main part of the points about project, influence of the manager for signings/outgoings and more have been discussed; it’s been positive.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will not stay: “We would all be happy together winning the UCL and then we go separate ways. You have to assess the decision at the point in time it was made. It was a different situation.”
Harry Kane on his future: “I’m here at Bayern for many years, it’s not just a one-off year I’ve come for. I came here because I want to play in these big games, these big moments and there’s no bigger than next week away from home.”
Leroy Sane’s contract is due to expire in June 2025. Bayern president Hainer: “Of course we want him to stay with us; no question about it. He’s an attacker who can make the difference. With his qualities, his pace and his shooting ability.”
Benfica
Benfica are still planning to trigger the buy option clause for Alvaro Fernandez, almost €6m to Manchester United. Plans have not changed as he’s doing well and Benfica are expected to proceed even before the scheduled date.
Borussia Dortmund
What a touch and finish by Niklas Fullkrug as he gave Borussia Dortmund a crucial advantage in this tie with PSG. FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
That’s now 16 goals and 10 assists this season for Niklas Fullkrug. Borussia Dortmund invested just €15m with add-ons for Fullkrug -an excellent move by director Sebastian Kehl.
BVB want to keep Ian Maatsen at the club, as revealed yesterday. Player’s father Edward confirms the news: “Yes, we are working on staying here. Things are not going well at Chelsea since the change of ownership. We’re happy at BVB, it’s a good place to be.”
Jadon Sancho when asked if he’s staying at Borussia Dortmund or returning to Manchester United: “I really don’t know. I’m focused on the present right now. I came here at 17 so this club has helped me since day one. I’m always giving my best for the club and the fans. You can see and feel the yellow wall, you just can’t wait to play!”
Borussia Dortmund want to negotiate and keep Sancho at the club next season, as reported earlier this week. Talks to follow soon with Manchester United. The budget will be crucial, and a fifth Champions League spot for Bundesliga clubs is a big boost for Dortmund, who are currently in fifth place in the German league table.
Chelsea
Antonio Conte and Ruben Amorim have been strongly linked with Chelsea, but what’s really going on with these managers, and when will we know Chelsea’s decision on Mauricio Pochettino’s future?
Jordan Pickford to Chelsea - could the Everton goalkeeper be an option for this summer?
Chelsea have a decision to make on the GK position when Kepa Arrizabalaga returns from his loan at Real Madrid - more details in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Fluminense have presented their formal proposal to bring Thiago Silva back to Brazil. The contract is almost ready, Thiago will take his time to decide between Europe and Brazil with several options on the table. In any case, Thiago’s kids will stay at Chelsea.
Who could replace Thiago Silva at Chelsea? Simon Phillips takes a look at some options…
Mauricio Pochettino: “We cannot recover any players in the last weeks. We all feel the responsibility for injury situation. We need to improve and be better next season on that.”
Pochettino on Christopher Nkunku and Levi Colwill: “Finally they are so close to being available. Maybe for Sunday against West Ham, we hope they will be ready. But still, we will wait before we decide if they can cope with the competition.”
Crystal Palace
Marc Guehi could have concrete chances to leave Crystal Palace this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Fluminense
Fluminense have presented their formal proposal to bring Thiago Silva back to Brazil. The contract is almost ready, Thiago will take his time to decide between Europe and Brazil with several options on the table. In any case, Thiago’s kids will stay at Chelsea.
LAFC
Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Olivier Giroud will leave AC Milan to play in the MLS next season: “He wants to continue his career but with fewer expectations than in Europe but that doesn't change my choices in the short-term.” Deal valid until Dec 2025, signed and sealed with LAFC.
Leicester City
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on his future: “I’ve been at Leicester since I was eight years old and I’ve got NO intention of leaving. My intention is very clear.”
Liverpool
What will Arne Slot bring to Liverpool? Don’t miss today’s Debrief podcast at at 13:30 as Ben Jacobs and Angus Scott will be joined by Fabrizio Romano, Dave Powell and Kevin Hatchard.
Virgil van Dijk has been linked with a surprise move - Fabrizio Romano has the latest details in his column.
Could Liverpool sign Teun Koopmeiners under Arne Slot? Latest exclusive insight from Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Manchester City
Manchester City will make midfielders a priority for this summer’s transfer window. They still like West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, but he’s not the only name on their list - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes: “My future? At the moment, I feel both me and the club want to continue together. I’m not thinking about the future. If you want me to be very honest, if I have to think about not staying, it won’t be until after the FA Cup final and the Euros.”
Benfica are still planning to trigger the buy option clause for Alvaro Fernandez, almost €6m to Manchester United. Plans have not changed as he’s doing well and Benfica are expected to proceed even before the scheduled date.
Marc Guehi to Manchester United? He could leave Crystal Palace this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Newcastle United
Tosin Adarabioyo to Newcastle rumours are hotting up, but what’s really going on? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his column.
PSV
Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest will be out until 2025 due to an ACL injury, as club confirms. PSV Eindhoven wanted to trigger €10m buy option for Dest, they are very happy with the player but the injury can change the situation in terms of negotiations.
PSG
What a shocking miss by Ousmane Dembele - how much will PSG live to regret the number of big chances they failed to put away last night? FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Real Madrid
Marcelo’s son Enzo Alves has signed a new deal at Real Madrid today, special moment next to his father and family. Deal sealed with Real Madrid for the 2009-born talented forward.
Toni Kroos: “Playing with Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior next season? I don’t know if they're going to get together for the return leg against Bayern! So guys, that’s not my business.”
Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid training ground Valdebebas to undergo further tests and get help with injury treatment. Al Ittihad confirm they’re grateful with Real Madrid for their help in managing Benzema’s injury.
Tottenham
Timo Werner is out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury. “There's two-and-a-half weeks left so he will miss the rest of the season,” Ange Postecoglou says. Spurs will decide this month about triggering Werner’s buy option clause worth €16m from RB Leipzig.
Great win for Dortmund! Hope they make it to the final