🚨 Kane smashes Bundesliga record, SHOCK Real Madrid statement explained, Arteta FURIOUS as Newcastle beat Arsenal, two Liverpool targets & more
The latest football headlines all in one place, featuring Liverpool, Arsenal and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
What’s behind Real Madrid’s surprise Kylian Mbappe statement?
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Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sublime effort as Al Nassr beat Al Khaleej yesterday - is he still good enough to be playing at the highest level in Europe? FT Al Nassr 2-0 Al Khaleej [Pictures courtesy of SSC Sports]
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta was furious after VAR failed to disallow Newcastle United’s winning goal yesterday. See his full post-match press conference in the video clip above, with the Spanish tactician saying he felt “sick” to be a part of this.
Remarkably, this was Arsenal’s first game all season without scoring, with Newcastle also being the first team to keep a clean sheet against them last season in that 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
But were Arsenal lucky not to see Kai Havertz sent off in the first half for this challenge on Sean Longstaff? FT Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Eddie Howe: “We were close to the incident with Havertz’s foul. It looked high, potentially dangerous. That was my initial thought for red card. He was probably lucky to get just a yellow.”
Arsenal Under-18s had to postpone their match for an embarrassing reason!
Arsenal have been linked with Jean-Clair Todibo, but what’s the truth? Latest from Fabrizio Romano here.
Barcelona
Xavi: “Trust me, Kubo is world class player. With and without the ball, he’s top top level. He scores goals and provides assists. Kubo’s time at La Masia for Barca? I wasn’t at the club at the time but we will come across these situations, for sure.”
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane has broken the all-time record for most goals in a player’s first 10 Bundesliga appearances, finding the back of the net 15 times already after his hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund yesterday! FT Dortmund 0-4 Bayern [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Bayern are planning to add at least two new players in January, if they can find right opportunities on the market. Club CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen: “If we consider necessary to strengthen in some positions, we will do so. We already have a top quality squad.”
Everton
Interest growing in 17 year old Croatian talent Anton Matkovic. NK Osijek striker, attracting important clubs from Europe - Everton are one of the clubs monitoring him. Also RB Salzburg and Sassuolo are interested, no time for decision yet but one to watch for sure.
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi has strongly hinted he’ll never play in Europe again: “I had an extraordinary career in Europe and won everything I have dreamed of. Now that I have decided to come to USA, I don't think I will ever return to playing in Europe.”
Juventus
Adrien Rabiot’s mother and agent Veronique on contract expiring in June 2024: “It’s too early to decide. It will be up to Adrien, we will see his decision. We decided to sign just for one year last summer as it was innovative idea with higher salary.”
Could Rabiot move in January? Fabrizio Romano has the latest info here.
Liverpool
Could the Premier League be an option for Kylian Mbappe, who has revealed past interest from Liverpool?
Fabrizio Romano discusses TWO midfielders being linked with Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp has been full of praise for Darwin Nunez, saying: “You just don’t know where he will end up. I’m afraid of the highs he could reach. The speed, the finishing skills, the desire he has… when he’s fit he is really fit so he can go and go again.”
📰 Liverpool considered signing Son Heung-min to replace Sadio Mane in 2022, with the Tottenham forward keen on the move (Telegraph)
Manchester City
Jeremy Doku was on FIRE yesterday, producing four assists in one game for Manchester City as they thrashed Bournemouth. FT Man City 6-1 Bournemouth [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
More from Fabrizio Romano on the smart Doku transfer deal here.
Pep Guardiola: “Doku, wow! He's not just a player for 1 vs 1. He surprised all of us! He’s a great footballer. Our Txiki Begiristain again made an incredible action bringing Doku here. I think he’s happy, hopefully he can be at Man City for many, many years!”
Julian Alvarez had a bit of a scare though, as he lost a tooth during these celebrations!
Manchester United
Marcus Rashford was not available for Manchester United for yesterday’s game away to Fulham due to a heavy knock to his leg in training. The decision was not related to the party case, as it had already been resolved and clarified internally.
Erik ten Hag later clarified: “Rashford was travelling with us but then he didn’t make it. He’s not fit.” Asked whether Rashford would have started if he was fit: “Yes.”
Ten Hag defended Bruno Fernandes after his winning goal: “I don't understand why people doubt Bruno Fernandes as our captain, really. He’s key for us. Everyone has mistakes and no one is perfect. He’s massively important to us.”
Bruno Fernandes: “I don't want to focus too much on one player, but everyone has been too critical of Harry Maguire. He is doing very well, Harry deserves respect. I hope he can stay at this level.”
Napoli
Napoli director Mauro Meluso: “Zielinski wants to stay here, he’s very happy and he’s always been very clear. We are working to extend his contract and I’m quietly confident.”
Napoli director Meluso: “Victor Osimhen spoke to our secretary as he decided to travel to Nigeria, he has our permission. He’ll return once he resolves some personal issues, he’s also injured so he’s still recovering. I think he’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Newcastle United
Here’s that controversial Anthony Gordon goal that gave Newcastle the win over Arsenal - VAR checked if the ball had gone out of play, as well as for a possible foul and offside, but ended up letting it stand. FT Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Eddie Howe: “We were close to the incident with Havertz’s foul. It looked high, potentially dangerous. That was my initial thought for red card. He was probably lucky to get just a yellow.”
But were Newcastle lucky that Bruno Guimaraes didn’t see red for this?
NK Osijek
Interest growing in 17 year old Croatian talent Anton Matkovic. NK Osijek striker, attracting important clubs from Europe - Everton are one of the clubs monitoring him. Also RB Salzburg and Sassuolo are interested, no time for decision yet but one to watch for sure.
PSG
PSG still hope to get Kylian Mbappe to agree a new contract - full details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid official statement on Kylian Mbappe deal: “Given information in the media about negotiations between the player Kylian Mbappe and our club, Real Madrid state that this information is categorically false. Negotiations have not taken place with a player who belongs to PSG.”
What’s the truth behind Real Madrid releasing this surprise statement? Fabrizio Romano has all you need to know here.
Arda Guler is back from injury, as Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirms: “He’s training with the squad. Of course he needs minutes, he needs to play — Arda will be called up for the game tomorrow. We will prepare a specific plan in order to improve his condition.”
Shandong
Marouane Fellaini has left Chinese Super League side Shandong after five years as a legend of the club. He’s now available as a free agent, ready for a new chapter as his agent denied all recent reports on retirement.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Harry Kane is unbelievable right now, can see him firing Bayern to the CL