🚨 Kane back to Premier League, Liverpool's January target, Man United's managerial shortlist, Real Madrid want CFC star & more

Plus Premier League Round-up and all the latest transfer updates.

(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein, Judit Cartiel, Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Good morning everyone, and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s post! :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Spanish manager wants Man United job.

• Chelsea confident of signing Mike Maignan.

• Liverpool to target Guehi in January.

• Harry Kane back to Premier League in 2026?

Premier League League round-up

Arsenal beat Newcastle with two late goals

Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St. James’ Park after two late goals from Mikel Arteta’s side.

After Nick Woltemade gave Magpies the lead, Gunners found it difficult to break down a stubborn Newcastle side.

Super sub Mikel Merino headed the first goal for Arsenal in the 84th minute while centre-back Gabriel scored in the 96th minute to give Arteta’s team a dramatic win.

FT Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal [Pictures from Sky Sports]

Aston Villa pick up first league win of the season

Aston Villa had to come from behind to pick up their first league win of the season.

After trailing early in the match to a Raul Jimenez goal, Unai Emery’s side responded well through Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Emi Buendia.

The win takes Villa to 16th in the league, finally out of the relegation zone.

FT Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham [Pictures from Sky Sports]

AC Milan

• AC Milan have opened talks with England defender Fikayo Tomori, 27, over a new contract, amid interest from Premier League clubs. (Fabrizio Romano)

Arsenal

• Gabriel Magalhães has now scored 18 Premier League goals for Arsenal, at least six more than any other defender since he made his debut in the competition in September 2020. (Squawka)

• Bukayo Saka on the penalty incident vs Newcastle: “I’m speechless… These little things always go against us! For me, if we have VAR it’s for clear and obvious error. The fact it took ref that long to decide it shows it’s not clear error.”

• Bukayo Saka on Eberechi Eze: “He was unstoppable today (vs Newcastle) at times. I was speaking to him in changing room, that first chance, not many keepers save that. That would’ve topped it off. He’s really exciting signing and I’m happy to having him in our team.” (Stadium Astro)

  

  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

• Mikel Arteta called Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope ‘exceptional’ for his performance at St. James’ Park.

• John Obi Mikel on Arsenal: “Mikel Arteta, he’s built a good, good squad – the strongest squad in the Premier League. Not just in the Premier League, I might say, you know, in Europe right now. Arsenal, in terms of depth, their squad is complete. There is no excuse for not winning the Premier League.”

Barcelona

• Hansi Flick: “We can’t change the Ballon d’Or result, but Lamine Yamal will try again next year. It’s a big thing for him and every player.”

• Hansi Flick: “Pedri is special… He is a great player, he has grown and has become a leader. When he is on the pitch, he is everywhere.”
  

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Chelsea

• Liam Delap is expected to return in eight weeks and Cole Palmer does not need groin surgery and will be back after next month’s international break. (Kaveh Solhekol)

• Enzo Maresca retains the full support of Chelsea’s leadership following the losses to Bayern, Manchester United and Brighton. (Ben Jacobs)

• Chelsea are confident they will complete the signing of Mike Maignan from AC Milan in 2026. They attempted to sign the goalkeeper before the Club World Cup but remain interested. (Teamtalk)

Liverpool

• Liverpool will respond to Giovanni Leoni’s long-term absence after tearing his ACL by moving in January for Crystal Palace captain Marc Gúehi. (Football Insider)

  

  (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

• Liverpool star poised to complete exit in January as Euro giants prepare move. More details!

• Micah Richards on Ibrahima Konate: “Konate is starting to worry me a little bit. Him and Van Dijk have been a good partnership, but his individual errors at this moment in time are just making the backline look a bit nervy.”

• Liverpool dealt fresh injury blow after Crystal Palace defeat. Full Story here!

• Liverpool have been told they will need to pay £100m+ for the third time if they want to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. (Football Insider)

Manchester City

• Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is considering a move to Saudi Arabia when his contract ends in the summer of 2026. (talkSPORT)

• Man City remain interested in Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães, but the 27-year-old is happy and settled at Newcastle. (Football Insider)

• Man City to target Bayern Munich star Aleksandar Pavlovic as long-term Rodri successor. (CaughtOffside)

• Savinho will sign a new contract at Manchester City until June 2031. (Fabrizio Romano)

• Can Man City sign Joao Neves from Paris Saint-Germain next year? Their chances of signing the Portuguese midfielder have been revealed.

Manchester United

• Ruben Amorim is described as a “lonely man” by club sources. In training he often walks away from the team - after losses he sits on his own. (Centre Devils)

• Rúben Neves could be an “opportunistic target” for Manchester United as an exit from Saudi side Al Hilal becomes more and more likely. (United In Focus)

• Xavi is studying the Premier League and would be open to joining Manchester United immediately even without European football. (Fabrizio Romano)

• Manchester United have a three-man shortlist of managers to replace Ruben Amorim. More details!

• Man United receive major boost in their pursuit to sign Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. (Fichajes)

• Man United are interested in signing Juventus’ Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, 25, in the January transfer window. (Gazetta)

• Are Man United interested in Graham Potter as their next manager? The latest update on the recently sacked West Ham United manager.

Newcastle United

• Newcastle plan contract talks in effort to ward off interest from Premier League rivals. Full Story here!

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid did NOT want to sell Rodrygo in the summer & the player did NOT want to leave. Real Madrid leaders are convinced the player has importance and it’s now time to trust. (Marca)

  

  (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)

• Real Madrid dream of signing Harry Kane, linking the Englishman with Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono in a devastating front-line. (Fichajes)

• Real Madrid are keeping tabs on two Chelsea midfielders - 24-year-old Argentina international Enzo Fernandez and 23-year-old Ecuador international Moises Caicedo. (TBR Football)

Tottenham

• Tottenham have a buy-back clause for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane which comes into effect in the summer of 2026. (Sun Sport)