🚨 Leão signs long-term deal, Barcelona clear on Raphinha availability, Tottenham’s new talks with managerial candidate, Chelsea in the race for Caicedo, and more
The latest transfer news, featuring Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Tottenham, and more.
Good morning and welcome to the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy today’s essential transfer round-up, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox as always!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Rafa Leão has signed a new long term deal with the Rossonerri until 2028, with a release clause of €175m. His salary will be €5m a year net with €2m in add-ons as well as a signing on fee. Confirmed and official.
No medical is scheduled as yet for Daichi Kamada as the agreement in place is just a verbal one and Milan remain cautious. Once he signs then the medical will be booked, but not before.
Arsenal
A new round of talks are planned between the club and Martin Ødegaard’s representatives concerning a new deal for the Gunners captain. There’s no rush as the player is very happy in London and both parties are keen to reach an agreement. The aim will be to get the new deal done later this year.
The Gunners have their eyes on a 22-year-old title winner that’s been described as a ‘very interesting prospect.’ Click here for exclusive info!
Barcelona
Barcelona coach, Xavi, has given an extensive interview to Mundo Deportivo where the futures of a number of players have been mentioned:
“Leo Messi will decide his future next week. He has 100% my OK to join us. He knows we’re ready to welcome him, nothing has changed and we have chances. We want Leo here. Let him decide. I’m ready to include him in my system.
“Raphinha is not on the market. He’s staying at Barcelona and will help us a lot. He’s a crucial player for me and a really important player. He makes the difference.
“We’ve an option to sign Yannick Ferreira Carrasco this summer. It was negotiated by Mateu so we will see. It depends on next week. We like Carrasco, yes. But I can’t say more.
“Ruben Neves is a good player. Would he adapt to our style? We’ll see. We have different names: plan A, plan B and plan C. Vitor Roque? A new striker isn’t a priority. We need a top replacement for Busquets, for sure. It’s a priority.
“Yes, Bernardo (Silva) was tempted by joining us last summer. It’s normal, players are always open to join Barça. Bernardo would be an excellent signing, obviously. That would be fantastic, but he’s a Man City player. It’s very difficult.
“Zubimendi and Kimmich are super top players in their position. Of course, Kimmich has a long contract at Bayern so the only chance would be to negotiate with them. This depends on the club.
“The only thing I can share (relating to Man City’s Gundogan) is that any footballer we are going to sign and that we have the chance to talk to wants to come here. I have not seen any player tell us no, I prefer to go to another club.
“Joao Cancelo didn’t come to Barça in January simply because City didn’t want him to go to Barça. They didn’t tell me any reason, simply that it couldn’t be done because City had said no to the Barça option. Ask them, Pep, their board…”
📰 Barcelona star is refusing to bow to pressure and move to the Premier League [Sport via CaughtOffside]
Borussia Dortmund
My understanding is that there are ‘strong indications’ of next week being the right time to get the deal done for Jude Bellingham to sign for Real Madrid. Los Blancos are continuing to work hard on the final details.
Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach have officially confirmed that they’ve mutually agreed to part ways with coach, Daniel Farke. His assistants Edmund Riemer, Christopher John and Chris Domogalla will also leave the club.
Chelsea
Chelsea absolutely remain in the race for Brighton and Hove Albion talent, Moises Caicedo. No matter what happens with the potential deal to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting, Caicedo is still 100% in Chelsea’s plans.
Real Madrid have a firm interest in Kai Havertz, and he’s a player that’s appreciated by Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea are open to discussing the German’s exit, however, this would only be on a permanent deal and for a big fee. There is no interest from the Blues point of view in a loan deal or similar.
📰 Man United’s cheeky manoeuvre to try and snare Chelsea star [The Sun via CaughtOffside]
Eintracht Frankfurt
Mario Götze has signed a deal until 2026 with the Bundesliga side. All parts of the deal completed and official.
Leeds United
Leeds have parted ways with Sam Allardyce by mutual consent. Both parties have ‘mutually agreed for Allardyce’s time at the club to end following his four game spell which saw United relegated from the Premier League.’
Liverpool
Adrian has already signed his contract extension and is set to be unveiled soon. He will remain part of Klopp’s team next season.
📰 ‘What I have been told’ - Liverpool target would head to Man City in a heartbeat [Give Me Sport via CaughtOffside]
Monza
Despite links to Juventus and Marseille, Monza have reached an agreement with Raffaele Palladino until June 2024. He signs on as their head coach.
Newcastle United
Newcastle are closing in on another top talent for the future: 2004 born winger Yankuba Minteh is set to join the Magpies on a permanent deal from Odense, work permit pending. The Gambian winger will cost €7m and a medical will take place soon. There are already options being explored to loan him out once he joins the club.
💬 Newcastle fans - Are you happy with Eddie Howe’s transfer dealings to date? Who else would you like to see at St. James’ Park this summer? Let me know in the comments!
New York Red Bulls
Daniel Edelman is on the list of a number of clubs in Belgium, Holland and Israel. The USA U20 captain has been scouted during the U20 World Cup and could be on the move soon.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have finally made Chris Wood’s move to the club a permanent one. A £15m deal was agreed with Newcastle way back in January, and it’s already been signed.
The club have also triggered an automatic one-year extension in Serge Aurier’s contract. “The full-back’s services have been secured for another season as Forest prepare for the 2023/24 Premier League campaign,” a club statement reads.
Whilst Aurier stays, the club have released Jesse Lingard, André Ayew, Cafú, Jack Colback, Jordan Smith and Lyle Taylor.
PSG
Sergio Ramos has decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain and will be available as a free agent. “Tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, which will be a goodbye to PSG,” he said. The player will decide upon his future with his family soon, though clubs in Saudi Arabia were already approaching him whilst he was discussing his contract at PSG.
Has Neymar played his last game for PSG too? Click here for exclusive insight!
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have a firm interest in Kai Havertz, and he’s a player that’s appreciated by Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea are open to discussing the German’s exit, however, this would only be on a permanent deal and for a big fee. There is no interest from the Blues point of view in a loan deal or similar.
My understanding is that there are ‘strong indications’ of next week being the right time to get the deal done for Jude Bellingham to sign for Real Madrid. Los Blancos are continuing to work hard on the final details.
Takefusa Kubo has spoken strongly about a potential switch to Real Madrid, telling Carrusel: “I’m a Real Sociedad player, the door to Real Madrid is closed. I want to be a star in the Champions League and make a name for Real Sociedad in Europe.”
Tottenham
Tottenham have scheduled a new round of talks with Ange Postecoglou at the beginning of next week and he remains a leading candidate for the manager’s position. Nothing is done or agreed yet, and Spurs have also discussed Luis Enrique internally this week.
💬 Spurs fans - Is Postecoglou the right man for the manager’s role in your opinion? Give us your thoughts in the comments!
Union Berlin
Alex Kral has been signed from Spartak Moscow. The former West Ham United midfielder’s deal is already completed.
Wolves
All change at Wolves as both João Moutinho and Diego Costa are leaving the club as free agents. That decision has already been made and announced. Though Adama Traore’s contract will also expire soon, the club want to keep him. “We’d like to keep him and we’ll certainly be trying. We hope we can come to an agreement,” a club director was noted as saying.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
In Eddie we trust!
🎶 Eddie Howe’s Black White Army! 🎶
I like the idea of Postecoglou to Spurs. Takes no bull but seems to have a bit more about him in the sense of closeness to players without being chummy. About time Tottenham did some damage