🚨 Harry Kane GOLAZO, Liverpool CB targets, Man Utd and Spurs transfer battle, plus the latest on Ivan Toney to Arsenal or Chelsea
Today's football headlines, featuring Harry Kane and the latest Arsenal and Chelsea transfer rumours.
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading and hope you enjoy today’s post!
Top stories:
Great goals from Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe
Arsenal
Arsenal are leading both Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.
Douglas Luiz remains Arsenal’s top midfield target - Fabrizio Romano with the latest details here.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa will speak to Clement Lenglet’s camp before the end of the month in order to discuss January exit, which is currently considered likely. Barcelona will also be involved in the discussion. AC Milan remain keen but are still waiting to understand conditions of loan deal.
Barcelona
Xavi on Barcelona’s plans for the January window: “We always want to reinforce the pieces we are missing. With Gavi’s injury we need a player with that profile, it’s clear.”
Xavi: “I can’t accept our first half, it’s my fault and it won’t happen again. We were not aggressive. It’s unacceptable. We are NOT Barca 2010 here. Run like animals or no chance. Fight on every ball or we won’t win any title. We need to fight. I wanna see passion.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen win 4-0 and it’s 25 games unbeaten! They’ve won 22 and drawn three this season, scoring 81 goals and conceding just 18. They’re top of the Bundesliga table and their Europa League group - flying high under Xabi Alonso.
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane’s first season as a Bayern Munich player so far - 24 goals and 8 assists in 22 games all competitions. And another fantastic strike last night. FT Wolfsburg 1-2 Bayern Munich [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Bologna
Joshua Zirkzee has now 12 goal contributions this season at Bologna — with two more magic assists vs Inter at San Siro tonight, but also an incredible amount of skills, numbers and decisive touches. A top talent who’s still just 22 years old. Bayern Munich still have a buy-back clause for him.
Brentford
Carabao Cup semi-final draw
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea
Liverpool vs Fulham
Chelsea
Chelsea had been leading the race to sign Ivan Toney, but this is why Arsenal have moved ahead of them!
Chelsea are closing in on deal to sign Senegal U17 midfielder Pape Daouda Diong from AF Darou Salam! Deal almost done. Pape was pictured at Stamford Bridge yesterday close to Kendry Paez. Born in 2006, Diong will be able to join in June 2024 when he will turn 18.
Could Moises Caicedo have regrets over choosing Chelsea ahead of Liverpool?
Chelsea’s position on Aaron Ramsdale has not changed despite recent links and the Robert Sanchez injury - the England goalkeeper is not part of the list for January. Chelsea are also very happy with Djorde Petrovic.
Mauricio Pochettino: “We need to keep believing. I trust this project, the players too. That’s how we are going to create a great team here. Being together will increase the level. We are creating a very good bond together.”
Forest Green Rovers
Official: Troy Deeney has signed in as new Forest Green Rovers head coach. Contract sealed yesterday.
Fulham
Tosin Adarabioyo has been described as a “special” player by Fulham manager Marco Silva. He’s back in starting XI with four consecutive starts and excellent impact again. Multiple clubs are interested in Tosin as his current deal expires in June 2024. He was on Tottenham’s list last summer.
Inter Milan
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi confirms: “We are working to sign new player to replace Juan Cuadrado.” Tajon Buchanan, priority target for Inter to cover that position - it’s not an easy deal with Club Brugge but Inter will make contact with parties involved soon.
Liverpool
What a beautiful strike this was by Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool thrashed West Ham to book their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. FT Liverpool 5-1 West Ham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Jurgen Klopp wasn’t entirely happy after the win over West Ham, saying: “I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me. I wondered what they wanted. We need Anfield on their toes without me being in argument with their coach or whatever. If you're not in the right shape, give your ticket to someone else…”
Joao Palhinha and Khephren Thuram remain on Liverpool’s radar in a possible midfield shake-up planned for 2024.
Liverpool also appreciate Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie - more info here from Neil Jones.
What next for Fabio Carvalho as Liverpool look to end his loan with RB Leipzig?
Liverpool would have to pay €60m for this transfer - worth it?
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “Managing Spain? I’m so really happy being here with Man City. Really, really happy. I still I have one more year on contract. Hopefully they don’t sack me and I can stay here, the time still with this club!”
Huge boost for Manchester City as Erling Haaland is now back in training, which follows closely after Kevin De Bruyne also returned.
Manchester United
Jean-Clair Todibo remains on Manchester United’s list, but Tottenham have now opened talks over a deal. It’s not an easy signing to get done, but Spurs have been in contact with Nice and the player.
Could Manchester United really consider terminating Jadon Sancho’s contract?
Donny van de Beek’s departure is almost done - latest details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Newcastle United
New England Revolution
Noel Buck is one to watch in 2024 as clubs are now showing interest in New England Revolution and England U19 talent for the January transfer window. Buck plays next to Hinshelwood and Mainoo for England, he’s one of the top young talents in the MLS. European and in particular English clubs are keen.
Nottingham Forest
Official, confirmed: Nuno Espirito Santo was confirmed yesterday morning as the new Nottingham Forest head coach, replacing Steve Cooper.
PSG
What a goal. What a player Kylian Mbappe is. What a way to celebrate his 25th birthday! FT PSG 3-1 Metz [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Official: Presnel Kimpembe has signed a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain until June 2026. Kimpembe is still recovering from ACL injury and “will have corrective surgery in coming days for his rehabilitation”, the club confirms.
PSG are closing in on two signings - full details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Luis Enrique: “Going to UCL quarter finals or Kylian Mbappe signing new deal? I’d pick both! Kylian will score 50 goals with all the coaches. I get along very well with him. There’s a lot of information in the press but I’ve great relationship with Mbappe.”
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have reached an agreement on personal terms with Eljif Elmas as negotiations with Napoli are at final stages. €25m fee confirmed, as revealed yesterday.
What next for Fabio Carvalho as Liverpool look to end his loan with RB Leipzig?
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti on new CB for Real after David Alaba injury: “I can’t say no… we spoke internally about the possibility of new signing. We will take our time. No rush. The window will close on January 31. We are thinking about that.”
Tottenham
Tottenham have now opened talks to sign Jean-Clair Todibo in January. He’s high on Tottenham list’s, though it’s not going to be an easy deal with OGC Nice — but talks now starting. Spurs spoke also to the player’s camp in the recent days. Todibo remains also on Manchester United’s list since June.
West Ham
It was a miserable night for West Ham, but this strike from Jarrod Bowen was pure class. FT Liverpool 5-1 West Ham [Pictures from Sky Sports]