🚨 Jude Bellingham deal advanced, Lionel Messi to leave PSG, Liverpool hold direct Alexis Mac Allister talks, and more
Today's *FREE* edition of the Daily Briefing, featuring major headlines on Bellingham, Messi and Mac Allister.
Good morning and welcome to today’s free edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal
Arsenal are interested in £50m-rated Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby this summer - read the full story on CaughtOffside.
Aston Villa
Mateu Alemany is prepared to accept Aston Villa’s offer. Final details are being discussed then the agreement will be completed. Alemany told Joan Laporta his decision to leave Barcelona earlier this week as he’s tempted by a new challenge in the Premier League.
Barcelona
Deco is a concrete option to become new Barcelona director after Mateu Alemany’s decision to leave and move to Aston Villa. Deco is on Barca’s list, but nothing has been finalised yet. The former Barca and Portugal midfielder has excellent relationship with Laporta and was involved in the Raphinha deal last summer.
Besiktas
Besiktas are now monitoring Costa Rica centre-back Francisco Calvo after his hugely impressive performances at Konyaspor. There are multiple clubs tracking him but Besiktas are keeping close eye.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl has not commented on Jude Bellingham’s future despite advanced talks with Real Madrid.
He said: “We want to become champions here in Bundesliga, it’s out total priority. We're subordinating everything else to that right now”, told Sky Sports.
Brighton
Alexis Mac Allister is going to leave Brighton in the summer - 100%. Liverpool now feel they are making progress on negotiations for the Argentina international. They have had a direct meeting to present their project to Mac Allister, and the plan is to close the deal on the player’s side and then agree things with Brighton. Liverpool are going to push in the next weeks. Chelsea were interested but it’s not a priority, while Manchester United cannot progress due to the club takeover situation. Liverpool want to get this done, so let’s see how this progresses in the coming weeks.
Chelsea
Chelsea have completed the signing of another promising youngster in Alex Matos. All documents and contracts have been sealed in the last 24 hours.
Born in 2004, Matos joins from Norwich on free transfer with add-ons; part of Jim Fraser project, pushing for signing to build top U21 squad.
Todd Boehly: “Fans are demanding, they want to win — we get that, we want to win. Our view is that Chelsea’s a long term project — we’re committed to the long term, and we very much believe that we’re going to figure it out.”
Leeds United
It’s official: Sam Allardyce has been named the new Leeds United manager until June — Javi Gracia has been fired. Big Sam will be assisted by former MK Dons, Charlton Athletic and Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.
Liverpool
Liverpool decided to leave the race for Jude Bellingham a while ago. They felt it would make more sense to invest their summer budget on several players, rather than just one.
Liverpool could make multiple signings in midfield, and one of their targets is Alexis Mac Allister. The Reds now feel they are making progress on negotiations for the Argentina international, who is 100% leaving Brighton this summer. A direct meeting has taken place for them to present their project to Mac Allister, and the plan is to close the deal on the player’s side and then agree things with Brighton. Liverpool are going to push in the next weeks. Chelsea were interested but it’s not a priority, while Manchester United cannot progress due to the club takeover situation. Liverpool want to get this done, so let’s see how this progresses in the coming weeks.
💬 Can Mac Allister joining Liverpool make up for missing out on Bellingham? Give us YOUR thoughts in the comments!
Manchester City
Erling Haaland made history last night with yet another goal in the win over West Ham. The Norwegian has now scored the most goals in a single Premier League season, 35. He’s overtaken Andy Cole and Alan Shearer's tally set in 93/94 and 94/95 (both achieved their tally in a 42-game season).
Manchester City have reportedly left the race for Jude Bellingham. They feel Real Madrid are now the favourites to sign the England midfielder.
Manchester United
Marcel Sabitzer: “Here at United, everything is bigger. People are crazy about United. I enjoy being here, I'm very proud. Contacts with Tuchel? Nothing as of now, everyone is focused on their task. We will discuss that at the right moment, no rush.”
📰 Tammy Abraham is wanted by Man Utd and Roma will ask for £35-40m to let him go this summer (Calciomercato)
PSG
Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season - it’s no longer in doubt. Behind the scenes, it’s now understood that Leo’s father Jorge communicated the decision to PSG already one month ago due to the project. It was the final breaking point.
📰 Al-Hilal and Inter Miami could compete for the signing of Lionel Messi this summer (Guardian)
💬 Where will Messi be playing next season? Would you want him at YOUR club? Let us know in the comments!
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are close to completing a deal to sign Jude Bellingham, confirmed. Negotiations are now progressing to the final stages. Personal terms are almost agreed — Juni Calafat, crucial again. A new meeting has been scheduled to complete the agreement with Borussia Dortmund. The two clubs have a good relationship so there is not expected to be a big problem, with Real prepared to pay around €100m, plus add-ons, as they hope to sign Bellingham on a five-year contract.
Real Madrid hope to finalize the Jude Bellingham deal already this month as they did with Aurelien Tchouameni last year — in order to avoid any late u-turn. Real feel that an agreement on personal terms is almost reached.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Shame we won't be seeing Bellingham in the Premier League but what a team Real Madrid are building!
For fans of smaller leagues, I wrote something on Japan's fan culture https://hiddenjapan.substack.com/p/kashima-antlers-and-my-first-j-league