🚨 Kylian Mbappe future HINT, Arsenal face paying £80m for star, Chelsea could let in-form player go for £50m, new Real Madrid deals, and more
The latest transfer news and other football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and more!
Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - all your essential transfer news and other major headlines in one place, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid
Get the Daily Briefing updates via WhatsApp on our new Channel!
AC Milan
AC Milan are the big favourites to sign Juan Miranda - find out more from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Arsenal
Jakub Kiwior had TWO suitors this summer but Arsenal wanted him to stay - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Martin Zubimendi could be a realistic midfield target for Arsenal, but what about Aurelien Tchouameni? More from Ben Jacobs here.
Should we expect a big bid from Arsenal for Pedro Neto this January?
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Jesus return date: “I’m honestly not going to put any timeframe for Gabriel Jesus injury because I did it once and got it totally wrong. We need to be cautious because we need to treat it in the right way. He’s already pushing everybody and wants to be back as quickly as possible.”
Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey injury: “I think he will be out for weeks. I don’t know how long. It’s big concern because when Thomas Partey is fit and available we see the results and impact he has on the team.”
Atalanta
If you’ve missed this goal by Gianluca Scamacca, stop whatever you’re doing and give it a watch! 😍 FT Empoli 0-3 Atalanta [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Barcelona
Lionel Messi on future Ballon d’Or winners: “Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius and many young players can compete for Ballon d’Or in the next years…I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young and plays for Barcelona, will play a prominent role and fight for it in the future too.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen may have just hinted at an interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz: “For sure he’s great player!” he said, and when asked if he could be one for Bayern? “We’ll see…”
Dreesen on Jamal Musiala’s future: “Musiala is our present but also represents, belongs to Bayern future. Jamal’s getting closer and closer to the top and we at FC Bayern will continue to accompany him along his way.”
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Bayern are keen on signing new players in January, saying: “We’re working on it, we will try. We’re going to lose many players for several weeks in January because of international tournaments. We have our eyes and ears open.”
Brentford
It’s possible that Brentford could ask for as much as £80m for Ivan Toney this January - more from Ben Jacobs here.
Chelsea
Chelsea remain interested in Ivan Toney, but how realistic could Victor Osimhen be for the Blues? Full story from Fabrizio Romano here.
Trevoh Chalobah is expected to be sold by Chelsea this January - more info from Ben Jacobs here.
Mauricio Pochettino: “When you try to create something new and creating a project we are building, you have to work hard. The circumstances are not helping us to go faster than we want. It's up and down. It's normal.”
Pochettino: “We are happy with the way Cole Palmer has arrived. He is playing like he’s been here ten years! He’s showing his character, personality. I cannot say ‘I didn’t expect that’ — but also if I say I expected it then I’m lying.”
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez when asked about Real Madrid: “It’s clear that Real Madrid are an important team… but my head and heart are always with Inter. I’m very happy there.”
A reminder of how important Lautaro Martinez is for Inter - what a finish this was as he scored FOUR in one game against Salernitana earlier this season FT Salernitana 0-4 Inter [Pictures courtesy of Serie A/YouTube]
Lazio
Ciro Immobile could have made a big move to Saudi Arabia in the summer, and he will be one to watch again in 2024 - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Lyon
Fabio Grosso: “What happened could have been a tragedy. It certainly was for the sport and all those that love it. I hope with all my heart that this will be a lesson. I thank you all for your support. Now focus and go, Olympique Lyon.”
Manchester United
What’s the mood like inside Manchester United at the moment? Ben Jacobs has the details here.
Harry Maguire is one of the senior figures playing a key role in trying to lift morale - more from Ben Jacobs here.
Napoli
Victor Osimhen’s situation for January remains complicated amid interest from Chelsea and others - more details from Fabrizio Romano here.
PSG
Kylian Mbappe - is he going to Real Madrid or could he still stay at PSG? The reality is that it could still be a while before a final decision - details here from Fabrizio Romano.
RB Leipzig
Dani Olmo has a release clause and has been linked with some top clubs - more from Fabrizio Romano in today’s column.
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe appeared to hint at a move to Real Madrid in the summer, but what’s really going on? Fabrizio Romano has the answers here.
Official: Vinicius Junior has signed a new long term deal at Real Madrid valid until June 2027, the club finally confirms. Vini signed documents already in 2022 but it’s now been formally completed.
The new release clause in Vinicius’ contract until June 2027 — €1bn. The same release clause fee will be included in new deals for Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo Goes new contracts.
Rodrygo Goes has agreed a new deal and there was interest from other clubs - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Eduardo Camavinga’s new deal at Real Madrid will expire in June 2029, with the official announcement will follow soon.
Jude Bellingham: “It means a lot to play for the biggest club in the world, Real Madrid. It still feels incredible to wear that shirt — honestly I still get goosebumps right now just while I’m mentioning that.”
Any excuse to watch Bellingham’s equaliser against Barcelona again - what a strike! FT Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid [Pictures courtesy of ViaPlay]
Sevilla
How close were Sevilla to signing Jakub Kiwior on loan from Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano has the details here.
Tottenham
How far can Tottenham go under Ange Postecoglou? Ben Jacobs takes a look here.
Tottenham are being linked with Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu - full story here.
World Cup
Official: World Cup 2034 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as president Gianni Infantino has confirmed. “Football unites the world like no other sport, World Cup is perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion,” he said. “Different cultures can be together.”
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com