🚨 Harry Kane can't stop scoring! Plus latest on Man Utd 'revolution', big name targets for Arsenal, Kylian Mbappe decision soon, and much more
Today's headlines, featuring yesterday's goals around Europe, and major Arsenal and Man Utd transfer updates...
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Luka Jovic completed a thrilling comeback for AC Milan last night! FT Frosinone 2-3 AC Milan [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Victor Osimhen remains a target for Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of a likely summer move - more details from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Arsenal plan to finalise an agreement on a new deal for Takehiro Tomiyasu in the coming weeks as he’s now set to return from the Asian Cup. Talks are already at the final stages since December.
Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey’s new injury: “They’ve been different kinds of injuries. Not everything is bad luck but there are a lot of things that are difficult to control. The player has an history where he’s issues in the past so we have to protect him.”
💬 Give us your score prediction for today’s big game between Liverpool and Arsenal!
Aston Villa
Aston Villa absolutely ran away with this game at Sheffield United yesterday, with Youri Tielemans’ goal perhaps the pick of the bunch. FT Sheffield United 0-5 Aston Villa [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Unai Emery on new signing Morgan Rogers: “His potential is big, really big. We added one player in the squad who can play as an 8, a 10 or sometimes as a striker. His skills will be important for us, he’s ready to play.”
Barcelona
Lovely finish by Robert Lewandowski as Barcelona cruised to an important win away from home. FT Alaves 1-3 Barcelona [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Barcelona director Deco on next manager to replace Xavi: “This is not the time to talk about the coach, Xavi has taken us by surprise...We were counting on Xavi for next year.”
Lucas Bergvall on picking Tottenham over Barcelona: “It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. Tottenham is a big, big club.”
Barca director Deco on Lucas Bergvall joining Tottenham. “We have a clear plan: we only want to sign players who really want to play for Barcelona. We were in talks for Bergvall yes but as we are monitoring other talents, too much attention on the press…”
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable run continues - it’s now 29 games unbeaten for Xabi Alonso’s side - 25 wins and four draws, 87 goals scored and just 20 conceded.
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane scored again as Bayern came from behind to beat Borussia Monchengladbach. FT Bayern 3-1 Gladbach [Pictures from Bundesliga/YouTube]
Kane is now on 24 goals in Bundesliga on his first season in Germany… and it’s just February! That’s 28 goals in 27 games in all competitions in total.
Thomas Muller, meanwhile, celebrated 500 wins as a Bayern player - legendary.
Alphonso Davies: “I feel very comfortable here at Bayern. I’m playing in an incredible team, for one of the absolute top clubs in Europe.” However, there is still no agreement on a new contract. Bayern keep pushing, but Real Madrid keep monitoring the situation closely.
Alphonso Davies has been diagnosed with a strained MCL in his left knee and will have to take a break, FC Bayern statement confirms.
Burnley
An instant impact for David Datro Fofana at Burnley - he scored a brace in just 33 minutes against Fulham yesterday. Sevilla and two more clubs wanted him, but Vincent Kompany insisted for Fofana and also Chelsea considered a spell in the Premier League as the best one for him. There’s no buy option in the loan deal.
Chelsea
Victor Osimhen remains a target for Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of a likely summer move - more details from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro have reached a verbal agreement to sign Jose Cifuentes from Rangers on loan. Cifuentes picked Cruzeiro project over two proposals in Europe as he wants to be regular starter, preparing for Copa America. A deal is almost done, to be signed soon.
Crystal Palace
Everton
Absolute scenes at Goodison Park as Everton snatched a late, late equaliser against Spurs! FT Everton 2-2 Tottenham [Pictures from TNT Sports]
FC Seoul
Jesse Lingard has received a formal proposal from FC Seoul: a two year deal is confirmed and ready. The former Manchester United man is prepared to travel to South Korea early next week in order to visit the club and then complete the move. Here we go to follow soon.
Frosinone
Frosinone director Angelozzi on Al Ittihad bid for Matias Soule: “Yes, the proposal was there and it was a huge one. Soule decided to reject and continue here as he’s not looking for money, he’s serious guy.”
Fulham
There’s no buy option clause included in the Carlos Vinicius deal between Galatasaray and Fulham. Gala have paid a €600k loan fee to Fulham and €600k as salary coverage to Vinicius. He will return to Fulham at the end of the season.
Inter Milan
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirms: “Zielinski has been excluded from UCL list as he will leave the club in July, he’s not signing new deal”. Inter are on it to complete the agreement and sign Zielinski as free agent.
Liverpool
Who’s leading the race to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager?
Liverpool have made moves for this former Premier League star…
💬 Give us your score prediction for today’s big game between Liverpool and Arsenal!
Manchester United
Napoli
Victor Osimhen remains a target for Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of a likely summer move - more details from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirms: “Zielinski has been excluded from UCL list as he will leave the club in July, he’s not signing new deal”. Inter are on it to complete the agreement and sign Zielinski as free agent.
Napoli president De Laurentiis: “We have excluded Dendoncker from UCL list as we had no space also for him. We’ve a buy option clause to sign him in June from Aston Villa, same for Hamed Traore from Bournemouth so we will decide at the end of the season based on their performances.”
PSG
Real Madrid are working very hard and very strong behind the scenes on the Kylian Mbappe deal - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are working very hard and very strong behind the scenes on the Kylian Mbappe deal - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Carlo Ancelotti on Luka Modric: “It’s very difficult to leave such a legend on the bench. I can only say thank you Luka for everything he has done during my time here. I’m really affected by this. It’s so difficult.”
More here from Fabrizio Romano on Modric’s long-term future…
Alphonso Davies: “I feel very comfortable here at Bayern. I’m playing in an incredible team, for one of the absolute top clubs in Europe.” However, there is still no agreement on a new contract. Bayern keep pushing, but Real Madrid keep monitoring the situation closely.
Tottenham
Richarlison is on fire at the moment, and scored this lovely effort against his old club Everton yesterday. FT Everton 2-2 Tottenham [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Lucas Bergvall on picking Tottenham over Barcelona: “It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. Tottenham is a big, big club.”
I can see Arsenal sneaking this 1-0