🚨Klopp returns, Silva's anger, Suárez retires, Rabiot in limbo, Martial talks ongoing, Depay to Corinthians and more
Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Antoine Griezmann has found himself in a unique situation at Atlético Madrid
Plus more from Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Newcastle
Arsenal
Arsenal to begin contract talks with player who scored 12 goals last season [Football Insider]
Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone called Sofyan Amrabat several times during the final week of August but Atlético Madrid were not including any buy obligation clause in the loan deal. Fiorentina only accepted Fenerbahçe’s bid, Sofyan accepted as he also spoke to José Mourinho.
What’s next for Antoine Griezmann? Matteo Moretto tells us the unique situation that the French World Cup winner finds himself in.
Rodri on playing under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid [The Players’ Tribune]
Barcelona
Adrien Rabiot’s career is in limbo at present and the French international is without a club. Could his next port of call be Barcelona? Matteo Moretto has the latest.
Barcelona to open contract talks with top prospect next week [MARCA]
The Nico Williams to Barça story may still not be over, and Matteo Moretto breaks down the moving parts.
Bayern Munich
Jamal Musiala on his contract expiring in June 2026: “I'm very happy at FC Bayern and fully focused on our goals. Playing abroad like Bellingham? I'm not thinking about where I will be in five years. Things can always change quickly in the world of football.”
Christian Falk has the latest Bayern updates concerning Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka.
Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp is back coaching at Dortmund, but it will just be for the Piszczek and Kuba farewell match.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Christian Falk’s latest update brings news of a player that Brighton have signed who could become even better than Leroy Sane.
Chelsea
Conor Gallagher: "In football, things happen. With my situation, I’ve left Chelsea but I look back at all my memories and I’m really happy I was able to play for them for the couple of years I did. It was a dream come true. I’m very lucky.”
Conor Gallagher: “Why Chelsea sold me? Clubs make their own decisions and they’ve brought in some top players on long contracts. That wasn’t the situation with me but, in the end, what happened is good for everyone, so everyone is happy.”
A current Chelsea midfielder has been linked with Milan. Matteo Moretto tells us more.
Si Phillips’ deep dive on Noni Madueke making all the right noises at Chelsea.
Corinthians
Corinthians and Memphis Depay have reached an agreement in principle. Verbal agreement now as documents are still being drafted, checked with his camp. Key steps to follow ahead of deal being signed for Memphis. It’d be valid until 2026.
CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow have been showing interest in signing Dejan Joveljic in the recent days. LA Galaxy have no plans to let him leave and the deal will not happen.
Fenerbahçe
Cristian Medina to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Deal agreed for January as he will join the club at the beginning of 2025. Deal until 2030 for Medina as Fener will pay $15m package to Boca Juniors. Add-ons are included as part of package
Flamengo
Flamengo and Anthony Martial, talks are ongoing as exclusively revealed on Thursday.
Galatasaray
George Gardi: “The Victor Osimhen deal had started on Friday, 00.01, right after the European market closed. Napoli immediately opened the doors to a Gala loan move and the player also did the same. We had to be fast and Osimhen immediately said yes.”
Ipswich Town
Official, exclusive story confirmed. Tudor Mendel leaves Anderlecht to join Ipswich Town. Former Chelsea Academy talent has already signed on at Portman Road.
Lille
Official, completed. André Gomes returns to Lille on a free transfer as the former Everton midfielder signs until June 2026.
Liverpool
Liverpool may have identified a long-term Virgil van Dijk successor… but who could it be? Christian Falk has more.
Liverpool summer signing was rejected by Bayern Munich [Get German Football News]
Manchester City
Bernardo Silva: “The schedule is completely crazy. We've just received the news that we only have one day off for the English League Cup game. We’ll probably play every three days for months. In the Champions League, if you don't qualify for the round of 16 you still have to play two more games. It's true that the squads are bigger, but I'm not going to say that it's easy. It hasn't been easy. I spend very little time with my family and friends. The amount of games we're subjected to is absolutely absurd.”
Real Madrid plotting move for one of the Man City’s best players [AS]
Nations League
Lithuania vs Cyprus (0-1): Both sides only had two shots on target in an uneventful game, with Ioannis Pittas scoring the game’s only goal on 34.
Belgium vs Israel (3-1): A win for Belgium wasn’t a surprise, though the hosts were given a brief shock when a Timothy Castagne own goal equalised Kevin De Bruyne’s 21st-minute opener. Youri Tielemans restored Belgium’s lead early in the second half, and once De Bruyne had bagged his second from the spot, it was game over.
Wales vs Turkey (0-0): A creditable draw for the hosts in a game of few chances, and where the major talking point was a red card for Bariș Alper Yilmaz.
Iceland vs Montenegro (2-0): A routine win for the hosts, with goals from Orri Óskarsson and Jón Dagur Þorsteinsson.
Slovenia vs Austria (1-1): Slovenia can count themselves lucky to earn a point at home after they were completely dominated in all aspects of the game by the visitors. Benjamin Šeško was on target from the spot on 16, with Konrad Laimer completing the scoring on 28.
Kosovo vs Romania (0-3): Despite having more possession and playing more passes than their visitors, it was all in vain for Kosovo, who had Mërgim Vojvoda sent off late on. Goals from Dennis Man, Rǎzvan Marin and Denis Drǎguș earned the points.
France vs Italy (1-3): Bradley Barcola opened the scoring for France after just 13 seconds of this game, but that proved to be as good as it got for Les Bleus. Federico Dimarco equalised before half-time, with Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori giving the Azzurri a brilliant away win [pictures from TF1]:
Luciano Spalletti: “We can say we’ve finally got a magnificent player back, Sandro Tonali. He’s been fantastic. I had no doubts.”
Tonali completed one magical assist (for Federico Dimarco) during Italy’s win vs France in Paris [pictures from Sport TV1]:
Italy medical staff believe Riccardo Calafiori’s injury is not serious. “We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game,” Luciano Spalletti confirmed.
Newcastle United
Christian Falk explains how Newcastle missed out on a top Bundesliga player who eventually moved to Saudi Arabia.
Newcastle man frustrated since Paul Mitchell’s arrival at the club [Daily Mail]
Real Madrid
One more injury for Real Madrid as Jacobo Ramón will be out for two weeks. Injury list: Eder Militão, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Joan Martínez and David Alaba.
Real Madrid unhappy with Vini Jr’s comments and are more open to a move [Sport]
San Lorenzo
Iker Muniain has just signed in as a new San Lorenzo player after leaving Athletic Club on a free transfer.
Saudi Pro League
Bergwijn: “I don’t even want to play for Ronald Koeman anymore. I won’t play for someone who portrays me like he has done in the media. He could have called me, heard my side of the story. How can he say such things without talking to me?”
Steven Bergwijn: “Of course I’ll improve gigantically financial wise, I won’t lie. But sportive wise it’s also interesting. I will play with Benzema, Kanté, Fabinho, Diaby, Pereira… I am excited to become their teammate!”
Ronald Koeman: “It’s logical that Steven Bergwijn reacts to my words on his move to Saudi. But I stick to my words! Going to Saudi at 26… it’s not a transfer based on the sporting aspect.”
Stuttgart
Stuttgart were the secret club interested in signing Argentinian centre back Tomás Palacios. Inter have been able to get the deal done for fee in excess of €6m for Palacios… despite Stuttgart being there until the end.
Uruguay
Manuel Ugarte started for Uruguay in his first official appearance of the new season. “Manu hasn’t played in the season so far. He needs to build his fitness… it can take weeks, maybe months,” Erik ten Hag said one week ago.
Uruguay fans’ tribute to Luís Suárez who’s retiring from international football:
