🚨 Haaland settles nervy City encounter, Barcelona star SLAMS rumours, Neto agent talking to clubs, Ferdinand's message to Arsenal fans, and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Erling Haaland scored the winner for Man City against Brentford
Some important updates for Liverpool in their manager search
When will we hear an announcement on Kylian Mbappe’s future?
AC Milan
Arsenal
Rio Ferdinand had this message for Arsenal fans as he travelled with them on the flight to Porto!
Pedro Neto’s agent is already speaking to other clubs amid long-term interest from Arsenal - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Arsenal have included a 50% sell-on clause in the Marquinhos loan deal with Fluminense. If Fluminense decide to sign Marquinhos permanently in the summer, Arsenal will receive 50% of any future sale.
Revealed: How that trip to Dubai sparked Arsenal’s major improvement in form at the start of 2024…
Mikel Arteta: “We are really happy with Fabio Vieira, but at the same time sad. It's been a tough period for him. He’s a player with enormous talent and we’re going to get the best out of him.”
Ollie Watkins to Arsenal? Fresh rumours have surfaced…
Atletico Madrid
Lautaro Martinez: “I was close to sign for Atletico Madrid [in 2018] but it didn’t happen, I’m so happy I ended up at Inter. We are growing, this group is very good and I’m so happy to be here.”
Antoine Griezmann injury looks like a worry after Atletico’s defeat to Inter…
Barcelona
Ilkay Gundogan on Hansi Flick being linked with the Barcelona job: “It’s not my area but all I can say is that Hansi Flick is not only a great person but also a great coach. He arrived in the national team in a very difficult situation, but he was always honest and I respected him a lot.”
Frenkie de Jong: “There are lot of fake news on the press. Some of you should feel ashamed, this has to stop. People invented numbers of my salary. I’m very happy at Barca, I hope to stay here for many years. You are talking a lot about my contract, my situation in the team, and my salary. A lot of smoke, a lot of lies. Reports of €40m salary is very far from what I really earn.”
Xavi: “Frenkie de Jong has said what he felt in the press conference. I know that he’s happy here at Barca. I think that he can stay here for many years to come.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich
How strong are the Hansi Flick to Bayern rumours? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
Xabi Alonso has a preference out of Liverpool and Bayern Munich…
Borussia Dortmund
Donyell Malen did brilliantly to steer this shot in against PSV last night! FT PSV 1-1 Borussia Dortmund [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Mats Hummels was not happy after the game though, saying this on the PSV equaliser: “What a joke of a penalty against us. Again! I cannot believe there can be decisions like today or against Chelsea or PSG with the VAR.”
Brighton
Chelsea
Could it be time for Chelsea and Raheem Sterling to part ways in the summer?
Kendry Paez is already in London to train with the Chelsea squad at Cobham this week as part of club's development plan. Kendry will also be in attendance for Carabao Cup final to support Chelsea and then back to Ecuador. He will start playing for Chelsea in summer 2025.
Chelsea have taken an 11th staff/player from Brighton in 17 months under new ownership with their deal for Sam Jewell. He joins the Blues’ recruitment team and is currently on gardening leave.
Levi Colwill on the Carabao Cup final vs Liverpool: “We want to show we’re winners, that we can lift trophies for Chelsea. That is what we’re going there to do.”
Fulham
Fulham chairman Tony Khan on Joao Palhinha: “I would want him as part of the team for as long as possible and we were very happy to extend his contract, but if an offer came along that would make sense for everyone I think that’s something you have to consider with every player at the right time.”
Inter Miami
Federico Redondo has just signed the contract as new Inter Miami player. $8m final fee plus 15% sell-on clause to Argentinos Juniors, documents signed today. Here we go, confirmed.
Inter Milan
The San Siro erupted as Marko Arnautovic scored this 79th minute winner against Atletico Madrid last night! FT Inter 1-0 Atletico [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Lautaro Martinez: “I was close to sign for Atletico Madrid [in 2018] but it didn’t happen, I’m so happy I ended up at Inter. We are growing, this group is very good and I’m so happy to be here.”
Lille
There are multiple clubs following the situation of former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes at Lille as he’s in fine form and his contract expires in 2025.
Liverpool
Xabi Alonso has a preference out of Liverpool and Bayern Munich…
Pedro Neto’s agent is already speaking to other clubs amid long-term interest from Liverpool - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the Reds’ injury list: “Diogo Jota knee issue, ruled out — with him it will take more than a month. Alisson with a muscle injury, ruled out. Curtis Jones with a bone ligament issue, ruled out. Trent and Szoboszlai, not ready yet.”
Brazil coach Dorival Junior has confirmed that Alisson will be out for the upcoming international games. It means Alisson will not return before the end of March.
📰 Liverpool are interested in a summer move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi (Telegraph)
Manchester City
Erling Haaland scored this well-taken winner as Manchester City eventually found a way past Brentford. FT Man City 1-0 Brentford [Pictures from X/Man City]
Haaland is now on 22 goals for the season in all competitions, and he’s scored against all 21 of the Premier League teams he’s faced.
Pep Guardiola: “Never, ever criticise your top scorer, he will shout you down. Sooner or later, Erling Haaland is there. He comes from two months out, had an incredible, tough week last week, he lost his grandmother… and he’s now back to scoring goals.”
Manchester City have signed all documents to sign Savio from July 1st. First deal for season 2024/25, now completed. Deal completed with City Football Group side Troyes as Savio will join for pre season under Pep Guardiola.
Manchester United
When will a decision be made on Mason Greenwood’s future and asking price? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
Marcus Rashford to PSG? It currently looks less likely than before, according to Ben Jacobs.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe: “To become co-owner of Man United is a great honour and comes with great responsibility. This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take United back to the top of English, European and world football.”
This exciting young striker is “likely” to join Manchester United!
Marseille
Jean-Louis Gasset has officially signed today as the new Olympique Marseille head coach. Gennaro Gattuso has already been informed. Gasset signs until June 2024 with Marseille expected to explore options for next season.
Newcastle United
PSG
Here’s when PSG will make an official an announcement on Kylian Mbappe’s future.
Paris Saint-Germain want both Xavi Simons and Warren Zaire-Emery to be faces of their future project. Zaire-Emery will sign new deal soon, it’s all agreed. Talks over new deal for Simons have not started yet, but steps on his future will follow in the next few months.
Fabrizio Romano with more on Xavi Simons in his exclusive column here.
Could PSG make a surprise raid on Chelsea? Ben Jacobs with some intriguing exclusive info here.
Victor Osimhen to PSG stories hotting up…
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has NOT signed his Real Madrid contract yet, so what about reports of talks with Premier League clubs?
Ben Jacobs has details on Mbappe’s Real Madrid salary and more info in his exclusive column here.
Tottenham
Pedro Neto’s agent is already speaking to other clubs amid long-term interest from Tottenham - more from Fabrizio Romano here.