🚨 Europa triumph for Villa & Emery, surprise Chelsea exit, latest on Salah's future, Arsenal eyeing Tonali, top Barca targets revealed, & more
Villa win the Europa League, plus today's biggest transfer stories...
Good morning folks, and welcome to the latest Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s post :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus Levi Colwill could leave Chelsea, and more!
Europa League
Aston Villa beat Freiburg as Unai Emery lifts Europa League trophy for fifth time
Aston Villa won the Europa League final against Freiburg in some style last night, while Unai Emery also helped himself to the trophy for a remarkable fifth time in his career.
Youri Tielemans opened the scoring with a superb volley from a clever corner routine, before Emi Buendia curled in a beauty to make it 2-0 just before half time.
Morgan Rogers added a third from another well-worked Villa move, and it guided the club to their first piece of silverware for 30 years, while Emery added to his personal collection after also winning this trophy three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.
FT Aston Villa 3-0 Freiburg (Pictures from TNT Sports)
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Arsenal
Sandro Tonali is now Mikel Arteta’s number one target as he looks to strengthen Arsenal even further after their Premier League title win. (TuttoJuve)
How Arsenal’s lost moment accidentally started their recovery and led to Premier League glory - full story here!
Eberechi Eze’s special request in a meeting with Mikel Arteta ended up being crucial in Arsenal’s title run-in. (Independent)
Arsenal have an interest in Eli Junior Kroupi after he scored for Bournemouth to help the Gunners win the Premier League title - more info here!
Barcelona
Barcelona’s top two targets to replace Robert Lewandowski this summer are Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Chelsea’s Joao Pedro. (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona retain an interest in Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, though their priority for now seems to be on attacking players such as Julian Alvarez, as well as a final decision on the future of Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford. (Sky Sports)
Marcus Rashford may finally be getting closer to completing a permanent transfer to Barcelona, but it’s not a done deal yet, with Manchester United’s asking price still thought to be an issue. (Sport)
Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez wants Cristian Romero to join Chelsea from rivals Tottenham this summer. (Simon Phillips)
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella remains a long-term target for both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea have a surprise interest in snapping up Bernardo Silva on a free transfer this summer as he closes in on an exit from Manchester City. (Marca)
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill’s future is in doubt as both Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping an eye on the Chelsea defender. (Marca)
Chelsea are stepping up their interest in Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix and could be prepared to try a swap deal for him this summer. (Sports Boom)
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool but could stay in Europe as he’s opened the door to a surprise potential transfer to Fenerbahce, despite a long list of Saudi clubs also still being interested. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Liverpool are set to rival Manchester United for the potential signing of Juventus defender Gleison Bremer as his future is in doubt this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Alisson Becker remains keen to leave Liverpool for Juventus this summer if the Reds will allow it, as he’s eager for the move regardless of Champions League football. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is keen to leave Anfield after a falling-out with manager Arne Slot, with Inter Milan possibly set to try again for the England international. (Tuttosport)
Liverpool surely need to take this opportunity to hire Andoni Iraola after Chelsea and Manchester United ultimately decided to look elsewhere - full piece here!
Manchester City
Manchester City midfielder Rodri remains a target for Real Madrid and a transfer could now be more likely as it looks like Pep Guardiola will be leaving the club. (Marca)
John Stones is a summer transfer window target for Bayern Munich as he nears the end of his Manchester City contract, and the England international is tempted by a move to the Allianz Arena. (Daily Mail)
Manchester United
Manchester United are up against Liverpool for the potential signing of Juventus defender Gleison Bremer as his future is in doubt this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Manchester United have made contact over the potential signing of highly-rated Botafogo midfielder Danilo. (ESPN Brasil)
Marcus Rashford may finally be getting closer to completing a permanent transfer to Barcelona, but it’s not a done deal yet, with Manchester United’s asking price still thought to be an issue. (Sport)
Andre Onana is eyeing a surprise return to Manchester United this summer as he hopes to fight for his place again after his loan spell at Trabzonspor. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United have made a bid for this talented wide-man who’ll cost around £69m - full story here!
Manchester United could be set to rival Barcelona for the ambitious transfer of Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni. (Fichajes)
Real Madrid
Manchester City midfielder Rodri remains a target for Real Madrid and a transfer could now be more likely as it looks like Pep Guardiola will be leaving the club. (Marca)
Real Madrid could be surprise suitors for Chelsea central defender Levi Colwill this summer. (Marca)
Jose Mourinho has a surprise target in mind to strengthen Real Madrid’s attack if he becomes manager next season - full story here!
Tottenham
Tottenham are one of the clubs eyeing up a potential transfer move for Lutsharel Geertruida this summer as his future looks unclear after a spell on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig. (Sports Boom)
Roberto De Zerbi could also be set to raid his old club Brighton for an exciting summer signing for Tottenham - full story here!