🚨 Chelsea's HUGE attacker offer, Liverpool star wanted by Real Madrid, new Barca deal, Arsenal's Lamine Yamal, & more
Major targets for Chelsea, plus do Arsenal have their own Lamine Yamal?
Good morning folks! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - your essential round-up of today’s football headlines all in one place. Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong signs new contract
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister wanted by Real Madrid
Chelsea prepare huge Kenan Yildiz offer
Plus Arsenal, Man United, City & more!
Al Ahli
Merih Demiral is in fine form at the moment and has worked his way onto the list of several clubs as his contract is expiring in June 2026. Al Ahli want to extend his deal as one of their priorities. (Fabrizio Romano)
Arsenal
Arsenal have recently made enquiries about signing Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram, but the Serie A giants are not looking to sell. (TBR Football)
Cristhian Mosquera on Max Dowman: “I don’t mean to compare, but his style and way of playing is like Lamine Yamal. His movements are Lamine-esque. I didn’t have him on my radar and when I got to Singapore, he was already training and playing. When they told me he was 15, I couldn’t believe it. He really is an incredible player, and I think he’s going to be world-class.” (The Athletic)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are eyeing Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in a potential €25-30m deal as they look for a replacement for Emiliano Martinez. (Fichajes)
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Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong has signed his new Barcelona contract until 2029 after agreeing to commit his future to the club. (Official)
De Jong on rumours about his salary: “I won’t comment on my salary. Many fake news were shared about this in the recent years. What was said about my salary was greatly exaggerated, and the figures that were published were never accurate.”
Marcus Rashford: “When I reach my maximum potential, that will be the best version of myself. I’ll also be happier, and I believe it will be a version that I’ve already seen and felt before in my life.”
Barcelona may have found the young striker to replace Robert Lewandowski - full story here!
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes on Claudio Echeverri not playing: “The team must first gain defensive stability in order to play dominant football. The more we manage to do this, the more Claudio and other attacking players will benefit.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich want to keep Harry Kane but he is tempted by a return to the Premier League, with Tottenham in pole position for his signature. (TEAMtalk)
Chelsea
Chelsea are prepared to offer Kenan Yildiz a huge contract as they try to win the race for his signature and tempt him away from Juventus, who also want to offer him a new deal. (Tuttosport)
Chelsea are expected to be one of the clubs in the mix for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who could cost as much as £75m. (Daily Express)
Chelsea are ready to give Moises Caicedo a new contract in order to fight off transfer interest from Real Madrid. (TEAMtalk)
Enzo Maresca has been given a one-match touchline ban and fined £8k after being sent off for his celebrations after Chelsea’s recent win over Liverpool.
Enzo Maresca: “Chelsea is a legendary, enormous club. The strategy now is to proceed with long contracts, trust young players. Football business then is about results. In this moment, results are good and we’re all very happy.” (Festival Dello Sport)
Liverpool
Liverpool are on alert for an opportunity to sign Borussia Dortmund’s versatile German international defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich. (Bild)
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Reds target Adam Wharton are on Real Madrid’s list of targets in that area of the pitch. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester City
Manchester City are expected to be one of the clubs in the mix for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who could cost as much as £75m. (Daily Express)
Manchester United
Manchester United’s deal for Liam Delap was 90% done this summer before he chose Chelsea instead, which forced the club to spend more money on Benjamin Sesko. This then meant they were unable to also afford a midfielder. (Daily Mail)
Manchester United are prepared to bid for Italy striker Mateo Retegui, who is currently playing in the Saudi Pro League. (Fichajes)
Marcus Rashford: “When I reach my maximum potential, that will be the best version of myself. I’ll also be happier, and I believe it will be a version that I’ve already seen and felt before in my life.”
Casemiro’s future at Manchester United is still not guaranteed, as he remains a key player under Ruben Amorim but is nearing the end of his contract. (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester United have been criticised for their handling of Rasmus Hojlund after his revival at Napoli - full story here!
Newcastle United
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is a top transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain, though Juventus currently look to be in pole position for his signature. (Tutto Juve)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have big names on their list of central midfield targets, including Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Arda Guler: “I have full confidence in Xabi Alonso’s plans. If one day he tells me to play goalkeeper, I’ll buy gloves!” (L’Equipe)
Guler: “Me and Mbappe? Our skillsets were made for each other. We understand each other perfectly, it’s so fluid. Sometimes, before a game, we talk a little and decide what we’ll do… other times, one look between us is enough.” (L’Equipe)
Roma
Matias Soule: “Italian Federation approached me twice, I thank them but I want to play for Argentina. I keep working and fighting to be part of Argentina squad.”
Tottenham
Bayern Munich want to keep Harry Kane but he is tempted by a return to the Premier League, with Tottenham in pole position for his signature. (TEAMtalk)
Tottenham are seriously considering a January transfer window swoop for impressive Lazio centre-back Mario Gila. (CaughtOffside)
Fabio Paratici has returned as Tottenham’s sporting director. The Italian will partner with Johan Lange, who has been promoted to also become sporting director. (Fabrizio Romano)