🚨 Jude Bellingham to Man Utd, Arsenal & Man City eye Barca star, MAJOR Newcastle exits, Chelsea star's future in doubt, & more
Todays' transfer headlines and Europa round-up...
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Major Newcastle transfer news, both ins and outs
Latest FIFA World Rankings, and more!
Europa & Conference League round-up:
Aston Villa make easy work of Lille
Aston Villa scored two superbly-worked team goals to beat Lille 2-0 and breeze through to the next round of the Europa League.
Jadon Sancho was in fine form on the night, setting up John McGinn with some brilliant wing play, while he also hit the post and caused Lille problems all night.
Leon Bailey finished another slick team move to make sure of the victory as Villa really asserted their dominance over their Ligue 1 opponents over both legs.
FT Aston Villa 2-0 Lille (3-0 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Nottingham Forest come back and scrape through on penalties
Nottingham Forest came back from their disappointing first leg defeat at home to progress past Midtjylland in the Europa League.
Nicolas Dominguez scored first from a well-worked Forest set-piece, before Ryan Yates unleashed a powerful long-range effort to make it 2-0 in the second half.
The home side hit back to level the tie but Forest triumphed in the penalty shoot-out to give their season a much-needed boost.
FT Midtjylland 1-2 Nottingham Forest (2-2 on aggregate, 0-3 on penalties) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Ismaila Sarr double fires Crystal Palace through
Ismaila Sarr scored two well-taken goals to send Crystal Palace through to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
A clever ball from Adam Wharton put Sarr through for the opener as he kept his cool to round the goalkeeper and roll the ball into the back of the net.
The Senegalese forward was on target again to restore Palace’s lead and continue Oliver Glasner’s bid for another piece of silverware.
FT AEK Larnaca 1-2 Crystal Palace (1-2 on aggregate) [Pictures from TNT Sports]
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Arsenal
Arsenal are big admirers of Barcelona wonderkid central defender Pau Cubarsi, but he’s protected by a €500m release clause. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
The agent of Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito has confirmed interest from Arsenal, but insists his client is happy at the San Siro. (Radio CRC)
Arsenal are confirmed to be interested in Newcastle United duo Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento, with the latter making no progress on a new contract at St James’ Park. (iNews)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have told this big name he can leave the club this summer - full story here!
Barcelona
Barcelona are relaxed about Pau Cubarsi’s future despite interest from top Premier League clubs, and plan to make the 19-year-old club captain in the near future. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Barcelona could be ready to offer Robert Lewandowski a surprise new contract as Ferran Torres’ future is in some doubt. (Cadena SER)
Barcelona are eyeing TWO centre-backs this summer, including a big name from the Premier League - full story here!
Manchester United are set to reject Barcelona’s efforts to sign Marcus Rashford on loan again and could instead try selling him to another club for £50m. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea
Chelsea are preparing for Enzo Fernandez to leave this summer and have three replacements lined up, including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
A lot of Chelsea players are reportedly “fed up” at the club and have started speaking with their agents about leaving this summer. (Simon Phillips)
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are keen to tie Jefferson Lerma down to a new contract before the summer. (Football Insider)
Inter Milan
The agent of Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito has confirmed interest from Arsenal, but insists his client is happy at the San Siro. (Radio CRC)
Liverpool
Liverpool chief Richard Hughes is confirmed as a top target for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, though he’s committed to the Reds and not yet decided on leaving. (Fabrizio Romano)
Liverpool are keen on Bournemouth forward Rayan after his fast start to life in the Premier League. (TEAMtalk)
Liverpool are on alert as this Real Madrid star has been made available for just €50m - full story here!
Manchester City
Manchester City are big admirers of Barcelona wonderkid central defender Pau Cubarsi, but he’s protected by a €500m release clause. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester City are considered the major frontrunners in the race to sign Elliot Anderson, but Manchester United are also not giving up on signing the Nottingham Forest midfielder. (BBC Sport)
Manchester City have already begun work on signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea as he’s unsettled at Stamford Bridge. (Fichajes)
Manchester United
Manchester United could face competition from Chelsea for the transfer of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester City are considered the major frontrunners in the race to sign Elliot Anderson, but Manchester United are also not giving up on signing the Nottingham Forest midfielder. (BBC Sport)
INEOS and Manchester United’s recruitment team want TWO midfielder signings this summer, with Wolves’ Joao Gomes emerging as one of their top targets. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United have also “made some calls” to be kept informed on Sandro Tonali’s situation ahead of the summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester United are set to reject Barcelona’s efforts to sign Marcus Rashford on loan again and could instead try selling him to another club for £50m. (Daily Mirror)
Jude Bellingham is emerging as a surprise target for Manchester United in an ambitious potential €120m transfer. (Fichajes)
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are planning to sign FOUR new players to go straight into Eddie Howe’s XI this summer in a major squad overhaul. (iNews)
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is being targeted by Real Madrid ahead of the summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
Both Manchester United and Manchester City have made “calls” about Sandro Tonali’s transfer situation at Newcastle. (Fabrizio Romano)
Real Madrid
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is being targeted by Real Madrid ahead of the summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
Jude Bellingham is emerging as a surprise target for Manchester United in an ambitious potential €120m transfer. (Fichajes)
Tottenham
There will be a meeting to determine the future of Igor Tudor as Tottenham manager after this Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest - more info here!
Tottenham have gathered information on a potential new manager with a solid record - full story here!