🚨 Gabriel Martinelli shines in Arsenal win, plus what next for Jadon Sancho and how close did Real Madrid star come to joining Gunners?
Today's football headlines all in one place for you, featuring Arsenal, Man Utd and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy today’s round-up!
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal make easy work of Sevilla - featuring some Martinelli magic!
Man Utd lose again plus where next for Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane?
Plus more from Man City, Newcastle and Real Madrid
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Al Ain
Official: former Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder yesterday left Al Ain.
Hernan Crespo is set to sign as new Al Ain head coach to replace former Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder. Crespo was Al Duhail manager before they replaced him with Christophe Galtier, and he’s now on the verge of joining Al Ain.
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka scored this lovely goal to double Arsenal’s lead against Sevilla last night - he was just onside, and cut in superbly onto that left foot before a clinical finish. FT Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
What a lovely Berbatov-esque piece of skill this was from Martinelli as well! [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Thomas Partey is being linked with Juventus again, but how likely is a January exit? Fabrizio Romano with more info here.
Atletico Madrid
Alvaro Morata signed a new deal at Atletico Madrid until June 2027, he has no interest in MLS move for January, despite links and rumours. He’s on fire for Atletico this season with five goals in four games in the Champions League and nine goal contributions in ten La Liga games.
Barnsley
Barnsley wonderkid Fabio Jalo is one to watch after some superb performances from the 17-year-old this season. Leeds and clubs in the Premier League have been linked - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane just can’t stop scoring at the moment - that’s 10 goals and two assists in his last five games! FT Bayern Munich 2-1 Galatasaray [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Bayern loanee Arijon Ibrahimovic (born 2005) is doing very well at Frosinone as Serie A side are determined to trigger €3.5m buy option clause in 2024. Bayern have two clauses to bring Arijon back to the club: €11m in 2024, €15m in 2025.
Bayern are interested in the potential signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has a contract running until 2027 and who decided not to leave this summer despite interest from Barcelona.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s decision is to take no risks with Christopher Nkunku’s comeback. It’s not expected to happen this weekend vs Manchester City. Chelsea are still planning with Nkunku back after the next international break.
Some worrying Chelsea injury news ahead of Man City as Mauricio Pochettino could be without SIX players!
Cole Palmer: “I’m really enjoying it at Chelsea every day, on and off the pitch. It was a big change for me and my family to come here, but opportunities like this don’t come around often, so I’m glad it’s paying off at this moment in time.”
Palmer made his intentions clear to Man City after the Under-21 Euros - he wanted game time. He’s already had more Premier League minutes at Chelsea than he got for City. Palmer pushed to move to Chelsea, with Joe Shields also playing a key role, and it looks like the right choice.
FC Copenhagen
What a moment this was for 17-year-old Roony Bardghji as he hit a late winner for FC Copenhagen as they came from behind to beat Manchester United in a classic Champions League encounter! FT FC Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Juventus
Nicolo Fagioli will sign new long term deal at Juventus on Friday — it will be valid until June 2028. Juve decide to increase his salary and support Fagioli on gambling addition; he will be out for the next ten months then part of Juventus future plans. Manuel Locatelli will also sign a new long term deal until 2028 at Juventus today.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp on Luis Diaz: “No real news. Always positive signs somehow — as he decided last week that he can’t go to Colombia, so he’s here. He wants to be with us. He’s here and he’s available.”
Manchester City
Reports in Germany claim Manchester City have identified Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala as a ‘legitimate’ long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne.
Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta at the Bernabeu: “I was here with Maxwell and Esteban Granero, I was already here for Real-City last year. Talks with Florentino Pérez about Erling Haaland? No, no, no, no…”
Manchester United
Before it all went wrong for Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund continued his solid scoring form in the Champions League with this early goal to give them the lead. Can he start producing this in the Premier League as well? FT FC Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes: “We have a mountain to climb — so we must climb. All together. We have two games, and we have to win those two games.”
Erik ten Hag: “Marcus Rashford’s very committed to Manchester United, trust me. He’s investing hard work in training to get back into form. He’s 100% ready for today.”
Antony will not join Flamengo or any Brazilian club despite the recent rumours. That possibility is not even being considered. No loan deal, no plans to return to Brazil despite links with swap deal for Gabigol.
Raphael Varane didn’t start again for United last night - Fabrizio Romano on what’s going on here.
Jadon Sancho is still expected to leave Man Utd in January - here’s where Fabrizio Romano thinks he needs to go.
Could United be the latest club in the race to sign Ivan Toney?
There has reportedly been a noticeable ‘shift’ of priorities at Man Utd training recently.
Napoli
Napoli director Mauro Meluso was asked about Victor Osimhen’s contract situation, and said: “Osimhen is back in the city today. New deal talks? We’ve been negotiating for months, it’s a long negotiation…We will see how it goes, step by step.”
Newcastle United
Real Madrid
Great footwork and a great finish by Vinicius Junior as Real Madrid beat Braga last night. FT Real Madrid 3-0 Braga [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid is over? Ancelotti’s response: “No comment. I won’t answer this about Mbappe.”
Fabrizio Romano with the latest details on Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid here.
Carlo Ancelotti hits back at Gerard Pique: “Pique said that our 14th UCL title will not be remembered? Pique lives in his own world. No one will ever forget our Champions League titles, including our 14th title. We will remember it for all our lives.”
Another new deal is close for Real Madrid, but how close was this player to joining Arsenal?
Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella: “I decided to visit Arda Guler in Madrid as I’m sure he will have bright future, he’s excellent talent. I’m not worried about his injuries, he’s our future.”
Real Sociedad
Unreal atmosphere created by Real Sociedad fans in their Champions League game last night as they beat Benfica 3-1!
Tottenham
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Surely Arsenal need to replace Partey - would love to see Douglas Luiz do that role for us!
Ten Hag is toast as soon as Sir Jim arrives. Old baldy hasn’t got a clue.