🚨 Kalvin Phillips future nearly resolved, Karim Benzema to Arsenal latest, Joao Palhinha transfer hint, Chelsea star could leave this week, and more
🚨 Kalvin Phillips future nearly resolved, Karim Benzema to Arsenal latest, Joao Palhinha transfer hint, Chelsea star could leave this week, and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and much more!
Good morning! Welcome to another Daily Briefing, thanks for reading and hope you all enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Arsenal, Man City and Bayern Munich
AC Milan
Recent reports of Nordi Mukiele having a medical with AC Milan are wide of the mark. No medical took place, not even talks or negotiations. He remains on Bayern’s agenda, with talks continuing.
Almeria have completed a loan deal for Luka Romero, who is joining until June from AC Milan. There is no buy option included in the deal.
Al Ettifaq
Former Bristol City and Stoke City manager Dean Holden is set to join Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq. Holden has agreed to become Gerrard’s assistant at the Saudi club.
Al Ittihad
Arsenal
What’s the latest on Emile Smith Rowe’s future and new contracts for Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu?
There’s some positive news on the injury scare to Declan Rice…
Atletico Madrid
Alvaro Morata continued his fine form with the winner for Atletico Madrid against Granada last night. FT Granada 0-1 Atletico Madrid [Pictures from Viaplay Sports]
Moise Kean has decided not to consider more than three clubs’ approaches in the last days as he wants to join Atletico Madrid. Kean is waiting for the green light from Atleti after a verbal agreement on a six month loan from Juventus.
Diego Simeone on Angel Correa being in talks to move to Saudi. “Yesterday, I had a long conversation with Correa. I hope the best for him. I always say that for people who have given us their hearts, whatever happens, we will support them.”
Real Sociedad are closing in on a deal to sign Javi Galan from Atletico Madrid. No option to buy clause as of now, it’s a straight loan.
Barcelona
Barcelona plan to keep advancing on the Lucas Bergvall deal, new round of talks has been scheduled for Swedish talented midfielder. Barca want to anticipate Eintracht, key days ahead to make final decision. Barca’s proposal is valid for the summer, not January.
Were Manchester United ever really in the race for Lucas Bergvall? Fabrizio Romano explains in his column here.
Barcelona director Deco: “Bayern want Ronald Araujo? We are not considering selling him. He’s not for sale. He’s one of the key players for Barca future. We want him to be happy and this is shown on a day-to-day basis. There’s nothing to talk about.”
Barcelona have not approached Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips so far, despite reports - the conditions for the loan deal are considered too expensive at the moment. West Ham are still working and pushing for loan deal, waiting for Phillips to make his decision.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have now made a formal approach to sign Borja Iglesias. Bayer and Real Betis are discussing a loan with buy option clause offered today. Betis are only open to a permanent move as of now, but talks will continue.
Bayern Munich
“Most of the time, you see each other twice in life,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said last summer after the Joao Palhinha deal collapsed. When asked about him again, Dreesen said: “Yes, I confirm that. You should never rule anything out. January? Our focus is currently on the right-back position.”
The Nordi Mukiele deal remains on as Bayern are locked in talks with PSG and the player is still keen on the move. Recent reports of Mukiele undergoing a medical with AC Milan are wide of the mark. No medical took place, not even talks or negotiations.
Barcelona director Deco: “Bayern want Ronald Araujo? We are not considering selling him. He’s not for sale. He’s one of the key players for Barca future. We want him to be happy and this is shown on a day-to-day basis. There’s nothing to talk about.”
Brighton
Adrian Mazilu leaves Brighton on loan as he joins Vitesse until the end of the season.
Burnley
Burnley are working on deal to sign French centre-back Maxime Esteve from Montpellier. He’s one of the main options on the club’s list. Esteve is out of contract in June 2025 at Montpellier.
Millwall are set to sign Michael Obafemi on loan from Burnley, with an agreement in principle reached yesterday. Obafemi will undergo medical tests this week in order to get the deal done and signed soon.
Chelsea
Diego Moreira has now returned to Chelsea from his loan spell at Lyon, the club confirms. He’s back to training under Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino on new signings for Chelsea: “No updates. Nothing to say. Armando Broja leaving? At the moment, no news. It’s quiet. It’s a good thing. We are working really well.”
It could be a busy week for Armando Broja, with movement in the coming days - full info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Pochettino on Christopher Nkunku’s fitness: “Nkunku is not available. It’s a shame. He's still recovering. He suffered a little bit in his hip, now he’s recovering. It’s not a big issue. It’s just delayed the possibility of being available again.”
Simon Phillips has your essential Chelsea round-up for the morning here.
Pochettino: “Caicedo feels better. The situation in Ecuador is not normal but it is improving... he's feeling way better now. Few weeks ago he was really worried. We are always here to help the players. You know very well that this could affect the player's performance.”
Egypt
What a finish this was in a dramatic game between Egypt and Cape Verde, with Mohamed Salah watching from the sidelines as his country went through. FT Egypt 2-2 Cape Verde [Pictures from Sky Sports]
European Super League
Super League CEO Berd Reichart: “We’ve had very positive conversation with many clubs. Some of them don't want to go public yet. A club told me: we issued a statement... without even formally mentioning Super League. It’s like when we say: the manager will stay forever.”
Fluminense
Douglas Costa to Fluminense, here we go! A verbal agreement is in place for former the Bayern and Juve winger to join the Brazilian club. Contracts are being prepared, just waiting for medical tests after the Samsunspor deal collapsed. Douglas is in Miami and will fly to Brazil in the next few days.
Fulham
“Most of the time, you see each other twice in life,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said last summer after the Joao Palhinha deal collapsed. When asked about him again, Dreesen said: “Yes, I confirm that. You should never rule anything out. January? Our focus is currently on the right-back position.”
Hoffenheim
David Jurasek has joined Hoffenheim on a loan deal from Benfica - confirmed. There’s a buy option clause in the deal, not mandatory, which is worth €12m.
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez struck for Inter as they beat Napoli to win the Supercoppa Italiana! FT Napoli 0-1 Inter [Pictures from Viaplay Sports]
Juventus
Moise Kean has decided not to consider more than three clubs’ approaches in the last days as he wants to join Atletico Madrid. Kean is waiting for the green light from Atleti after a verbal agreement on a six month loan from Juventus.
Juventus have signed Tiago Djalo on a contract valid until June 2026 but it included two year option until June 2028. The option will be valid on club side. Djalo will NOT leave on loan in January.
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas statement. “The injury is more serious than first thought. He will be out for 21-28 days. His best chance at participating in the current AFCON is by undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the UK and rejoining the team as soon as he is fit.”
Liverpool have been linked with a “fantastic” centre-back, but how likely is a move?
Lorient
Panos Katseris is on his way to France as he will sign in as a new Lorient player today for a fee of €3m. Bournemouth are not involved in this deal. He will not sign for the Cherries, despite reports.
Lyon
Diego Moreira has now returned to Chelsea from his loan spell at Lyon, the club confirms. He’s back to training under Mauricio Pochettino.
Manchester City
Erling Haaland is back to regular training with Manchester City squad. Excellent news for Pep Guardiola as the Norwegian striker is feeling better now and can be ready at the end of the month as expected.
Are we set to see Man City tie Kevin De Bruyne down to a new contract? Latest exclusive info from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Kalvin Phillips is getting closer and closer to West Ham. Negotiations are advancing, as reported yesterday. A new round of talks will take place soon as the feeling on West Ham’s side remains positive. Discussions are ongoing with Man City over the structure of the deal.
Barcelona have not approached Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips so far, despite reports - the conditions for the loan deal are considered too expensive at the moment.
Manchester United
Eric Choupo-Moting is an option being discussed by Manchester United - more info here in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Could Antony be leaving Man United for Saudi Arabia? Latest info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Were Manchester United ever really in the race for Lucas Bergvall? Fabrizio Romano explains in his column here.
Dan Gore to Port Vale, deal almost done as revealed last week. Manchester United are set to approve loan move for Gore until the end of the season. Part of his medical is already done, and the final part of medical tests will take place today.
Napoli
Napoli’s deal for Matija Popovic has been now sealed. The 2006-born Serbian talent is joining Napoli and he’s going to play for Monza until the end of the season. Documents are being prepared then Popovic will join Monza.
Newcastle United
Callum Wilson won’t join AC Milan as their focus is on different positions with Giroud, Okafor and Jovic doing very well. Atletico Madrid will go for Moise Kean and not for Callum Wilson.
PSG
Real Betis
Real Betis are not intentioned to let Luiz Henrique leave and join Flamengo at current conditions. Meeting took place between the two clubs but the asking price remains too high for Flamengo. Deal not happening as of today.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad are closing in on a deal to sign Javi Galan from Atletico Madrid. No option to buy clause as of now, it’s a straight loan.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk have opened talks to sign Croatian talent Martin Baturina, born in 2003. Negotiations are ongoing as Baturina and Marlon Gomes are both top targets for Shakhtar, as revealed today.
Watford
Watford have agreed on a deal to sign Emmanuel Dennis from Istanbul Basaksehir. This surprise return has been agreed on loan until June as he accepted to take a 70% pay cut to return and help Watford. Medical booked to take place today.
West Ham United
Kalvin Phillips is getting closer and closer to West Ham. Negotiations are advancing, as reported yesterday. A new round of talks will take place soon as the feeling on West Ham’s side remains positive. Discussions are ongoing with Man City over the structure of the deal.
Barcelona have not approached Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips so far, despite reports - the conditions for the loan deal are considered too expensive at the moment.
Benzema to Arsenal is surely a no brainer - why are we not doing everything to make this happen??