🚨😡 Klopp's ANGER, Fati on fire, Arsenal star OUT until 2024, no Sterling for England again, Villa and West Ham triumph and more
Today's football headlines all in one place for you, featuring Arsenal, Tottenham and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy today’s round-up!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from West Ham, Crystal Palace and Juventus
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Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has no doubts about Kai Havertz’s suitability at Arsenal: “I’m really happy with him. He’s doing very good. For me, against West Ham in the first half he was the best player, at Newcastle he was one of the best… and against Sevilla we saw that again.”
Thomas Partey has undergone a specialist procedure and is expected to be out until the end of 2023 due to injury. His AFCON presence will be clarified/decided later this year. As a result of the injury Arsenal will look at midfielders in January, with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz the favoured option of the club.
Gareth Southgate spoke about Aaron Ramsdale’s current situation: “I think longer term, we're just going to have to see how it is. If we get to March and he's been six months without playing regularly, I'm never going to promise things that I couldn't guarantee delivering. I spoke to him. He knows that.”
📰 Arsenal keeping tabs on £62.8m forward, Mikel Arteta a long-term admirer [Football Transfers]
Aston Villa
Two headed goals saw Aston Villa come from behind against AZ Alkmaar to win their Europa Conference League tie 2-1. Diego Carlos scored his first goal for the club to equalised, before Ollie Watkins - who else - bagged a late winner. [Pictures from RMC Sport]
📰 New Premier League ruling could cause serious issues for Villa [Birmingham Live]
Atlético Madrid
Official: Diego Simeone signs a new long term deal at Atlético Madrid, valid until June 2027. New salary terms agreed.
Barcelona
Girona director Quique Cárcel: “I’d love to bring Oriol Romeu back here from Barcelona, he did some magical things for us. I’d love it, 100%. I don’t think it’s an impossible deal to make with Barça... Difficult but not impossible.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern will insist on extending Leroy Sane’s contract. Talks have already taken place but nothing has been agreed at this point. “Of course I hope Leroy will stay with us for a long time, no doubt about that,” said Herbert Hainer.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Ansu Fati took less than 15 minutes to give the Seagulls the lead against Ajax with a brilliant finish, and Simon Adingra silenced the home crowd on 53 with Brighton’s second. A brilliant away performance from Roberto De Zerbi’s men saw them triumph 2-0, keeping them top of Europa League Group B with two games left to play [Pictures from TNT Sports]:
After his goal and assist on Thursday night, Ansu Fati now has four goals and one assist in less than 600 minutes for Brighton. Slowly but surely he’s rediscovering the form from his early Barcelona days.
Roberto De Zerbi still wants more from Ansu Fati: “I always expect more and more. Ansu played very well but after the 2nd goal he had chances to score again… he has to push more and more.”
Burnley
Official statement: “On behalf of Lyle Foster and his family, they have asked us to share on update on Lyle's illness. Recently Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around mental well-being and has reached out for help. He is currently under the care of specialists, giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health.”
Chelsea
Si Phillips discusses what Chelsea need to do in order to knock Man City off their perch at the weekend.
📰 Chelsea have one big advantage over Arsenal in the race for Ivan Toney [Football Insider]
Copenhagen
Roony Bardghji doesn’t turn 18 until next week but already has 11 goals this season. Top European club scouts were in attendance to see him score the winner over Manchester United, and he’s one to watch in 2024.
Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze is set to sign his new Crystal Palace deal with an increase in salary and which was agreed almost 10 days ago. It’s a huge coup for Palace and in line with their plans moving forward.
England
The England squad for the upcoming games has been released. Incredibly, there’s still no place for West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse, and Raheem Sterling was left out for the fifth call-up in a row.
Girona
Several clubs are monitoring Girona’s left back Miguel Gutiérrez as he’s performing at a great level in La Liga. Arsenal have also recently sent their scouts to track a player that’s under contract until 2027.
Gremio
Gremio were losing 3-1 vs Botafogo… then Luis Suárez scored an incredible hat-trick to win the game… and Inter Miami are waiting for him as a new signing in 2024.
Inter Miami
Guillem Balague joins Ben Jacobs and Angus Scott to talk all things Lionel Messi and whether he could play in another World Cup in 2026:
Lionel Messi enjoyed swapping shirts and respect with fellow World Cup winner and footballing legend, Zinedine Zidane, in an iconic moment [Pictures from Adidas]:
Inter Milan
Inter are working on a deal to sign Tiago Djaló as a free agent in 2024. Contacts are ongoing with player’s camp to discuss a potential free move. There are many clubs interested and Inter rate Djaló highly — they’ve tracked him for years.
Juventus
Manuel Locatelli has signed a new, long-term deal until 2028, with Nicoló Fagioli expected to be next, despite serving a ban for illegal betting.
Liverpool
An own goal from Cristian Casseres Jr. and a super 89th minute strike from Diogo Jota was all that Jurgen Klopp's men had to show for their efforts in Toulouse. Despite 20-year-old Jarell Quansah appearing to equalise in the 99th minute, the goal was disallowed, giving the hosts a famous 3-2 win. The Reds remain in pole position with two Europa League Group E games left to go. [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Jurgen Klopp lavished praise on Jarell Quansah: “We rejected some loan proposals for Quansah last summer and… it was obviously a very good decision. He showed from the first day of pre-season how good a player he is. He has huge potential, I’m sure he’s going to be special.”
Klopp was incredibly animated and angry in his post-match press conference, particularly with the decision of where it was held [Pictures from Sky Sports]
The best news possible for Luis Díaz after his father was finally released after being kidnapped 12 days ago in Colombia. The player was informed on Thursday that he finally has both parents back home.
Paris Saint-Germain
Warren Zaïre-Emery has been called up by Didier Deschamps for the French national team this month. Les Bleus plan is clear as he’s performing at a top level, and keeps making history at just 17 years of age. If he plays, he’ll become the youngest player ever to debut with France after Camavinga. His PSG team-mates were delighted at the news and celebrated with him [Pictures from PSG]:
Premier League injuries for Week 12
Welcome to your weekly run down of the injured/suspended players in the Premier League ahead of this weekend's set of fixtures. Game week 12 sees Newcastle top the list with 11 players out, whilst West Ham will be at full strength against Nottingham Forest if Kurt Zouma passes a late fitness test.
Information on every team can be found here.
RB Salzburg
Sékou Koita is planning to leave RB Salzburg in January. Eintracht Frankfurt, Lens and Stuttgart are now showing interest in the 23-year-old striker whose current deal expires in June 2024. Saudi clubs have also been enquiring, with a January exit considered the best solution for all parties.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti on protecting Arda Güler: “We are being very careful with him and we are not taking risks. He’s only completed four training sessions after a serious injury. He will play soon — when he’s 100% ready. He’s young and we will protect him.”
Fede Valverde has signed a new long term deal at Real Madrid with a €1bn release clause included.
Tottenham Hotspur
Mikey Moore since he signed a new deal at Tottenham last summer: 17 goals and 11 assists in 14 games for club and country, including a hat-trick on Thursday against Croatia for England U17s.
Richarlison underwent groin surgery on Thursday, Tottenham confirmed: “The Brazilian international will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, before returning to training in the coming weeks.”
📰 Tottenham ready to pay over £35 million for Serie A star [Fichajes]
West Ham
West Ham huffed and puffed in their Europa League tie against Olympiacos, but emerged victorious (1-0) thanks to a sumptuous finish from Lucas Paquetá. It was initially flagged for offside then awarded by VAR. Check out the assist from James Ward-Prowse too! [Pictures from RMC Sport]
📰 West Ham striker problems continue with ace set to leave in January [Claret and Hugh]
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com