🚨 "Final stages" in Arsenal transfer target talks, Liverpool eye Serie A sensation, Chelsea GOLAZO, striker wants Man Utd move & more
Plus this Chelsea star is excited to be playing alongside Neymar!
Good morning everyone and welcome to your *free* Friday edition of the Daily Briefing - all the biggest football headlines straight to your inbox, completely ad-free. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Reece James scores screamer in Chelsea win
Joshua Kimmich’s future is nearly resolved
Plus more from Arsenal, Liverpool & Man United
AC Milan
Fabrizio Romano reports: “AC Milan sign 16 year old talent Astin Mbaye for the Academy from MLS side NYRB. Agreement in place for Mbaye to join Milan.”
Arsenal
Are Arsenal set to miss out on this top midfield target this summer? Full story here!
And more bad news for the Gunners - could Liverpool now be set to hijack this move for one of Arsenal’s top targets up front? Full story here!
Barcelona
Wojciech Szczesny on his future: “New deal to be signed in the summer? I’m not focusing on that now. My focus is on the games, I wanna give my best energy to Barcelona and then we will see about my future, at the right moment.”
Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich and Bayern Munich are now at the final stages of talks over a new contract, despite recent links with Arsenal and other top clubs. It looks increasingly like Kimmich will stay at Bayern.
Chelsea
What a goal this was by Reece James as Chelsea picked up an important win! FT FC Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Enzo Maresca: “Reece James is a leader, a top player. The day after I signed in at Chelsea, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder. I see Reece as a midfielder. Since day one. I sent him a clip when he was on holiday about how he can be a midfielder!”
Maresca: “Malo Gusto is okay and he’s better, he can be ready for Sunday’s game.”
Estevao on making the Brazil squad: “This call up has been even more special because Neymar is an idol, a reference for me since I was young. Being alongside Ney and the other craques is a great joy. I will try to learn as much as I can with them.”
Victor Boniface to Chelsea? Sources claim the Blues are “pulling out all the stops” to win the race for his signature this summer, but other Premier League clubs are also keen!
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi was once again not even named on the bench for Inter Miami. The veteran Argentine is following the club’s plan to prevent a longer absence due to muscle overload.
Liverpool
Ederson is emerging as a target for Liverpool this summer, with the Reds recently making contact to ask about a deal.
Benjamin Sesko to Liverpool could be another major transfer saga to watch, but could Arsenal still be favourites?
Alisson after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over PSG: “That was probably the best performance of my life”.
PSG manager Luis Enrique was NOT happy with the Liverpool result and sent a defiant message ahead of the second leg…
Could Alisson earn a new Liverpool contract on the back of that heroic performance at the Parc des Princes?
Meanwhile, there’s a worrying update on Real Madrid targeting Ibrahima Konate as he nears the final year of his contract…
Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee with a tidy finish here as Manchester United took the lead in their Europa League tie! FT Real Sociedad 1-1 Man United [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Ruben Amorim on subbing Alejandro Garnacho: “I felt he was tired. You see it because we did a lot of transitions in the second half, because sometimes he was late to defend. Sometimes he was in the good position for transition but I felt he was tired to recover and do the same things. I look at the game as a whole, not just in transitions.”
EXCLUSIVE - Manchester United have TWO big names on their radar this summer, including an in-demand Bundesliga star. Full story here!
Manchester United are also leading the race for this Turkish wonderkid in a €20m deal…full story here!
Jose Mourinho: “I don’t know much about what’s happening at Man United... I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. We have a good relationship. I see him as a good person, great businessman. I feel for some people losing their jobs hopefully it goes in the right direction.”
Ederson is also on Man United’s radar for the summer transfer window, but they face competition from two of their biggest Premier League rivals.
Jean-Philippe Mateta wants to join Manchester United, with reports claiming the Crystal Palace striker is on the Red Devils’ radar and would find the move to Old Trafford ‘appealing’.
Ethan Wheatley has confirmed he’s signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United, with the 19-year-old forward considered one of their main talents for the present and future. The agreement is valid until June 2028. “Another proud moment for me and my family,” the player said.
Antony has been left out of the Brazil squad for their upcoming international games despite his superb form on loan at Real Betis.
Napoli
Contract talks between Franck Zambo Anguissa and Napoli are now on stand-by. The agreement over a new contract was close but it wasn’t ever sealed - and now all options are open again regarding his future.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is reportedly keen on a potential summer transfer window move for in-form Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, but they’re not the only Premier League clubs interested…
Newcastle are reportedly confident over the James Trafford transfer despite other Premier League clubs also being keen on the £30m Burnley goalkeeper.
Real Betis
Antony has picked up another assist for Real Betis, setting up a goal last night to make it 7 G/A since joining on loan from Man United.
Real Sociedad
Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot for Real Sociedad after Bruno Fernandes gave away the penalty. FT Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Red Bull Salzburg
Fabrizio Romano: “Understand RB Salzburg have now entered the race to sign 16 year old talented midfielder Miha Matjasec. Matjasec made his pro debut last night as 3rd in Slovenia history with NK Domzale. Italian, UK and German top clubs keen with Salzburg leading the race.”
Tottenham
What a horror moment for Lucas Bergvall as his own goal put Tottenham behind and trailing in this tie. FT
Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham’s defeat to AZ Alkmaar: “We didn’t have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe. We didn’t really settle down into the game at all … that was disappointing.”
Could Richarlison leave Tottenham for a move back to his former club this summer?
West Ham United
Could Lucas Paqueta leave West Ham to return to his former club? Reports suggest it’s one to watch ahead of this summer…
