🚨 Lewandowski's superb hat-trick, latest on Salah's Liverpool future, doubts over Arsenal duo's futures, Chelsea linked with midfielder, & more
Today's round-up, featuring news clips and latest Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea transfers...
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - all your essential football headlines in one place, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
WATCH Lewandowski’s stunning free-kick vs Valencia
Plus more from Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United
AC Milan
Simon Kjaer will leave AC Milan at the end of the current season as free agent, the decision has been made. His agent Beck confirms to Bold that it’s over and with mutual respect, Kjaer and the club will part ways.
Arsenal
Santiago Gimenez to Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano has exclusive updates on his situation and asking price in his column here.
Eddie Nketiah transfer could be one to watch this summer - more info here in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey: “He’s a really important player and we have missed him for many months. He looks in great shape. It’s his presence, his quality, his physicality and his experience.”
What next for Thomas Partey? Discussions over his future will take place soon, according to Fabrizio Romano in today’s exclusive column.
Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski with a sublime free-kick to wrap up his hat-trick for Barcelona last night! FT Barcelona 4-2 Valencia [Pictures from Premier Sports]
Robert Lewandowski: “Leaving Barça for me this summer is definitely not possible, it’s not a topic. I physically feel good. As of today, this is the case for at least two more years. When I’m physically no longer at a top level, I’d start thinking.”
Barcelona and Pau Cubarsi’s new deal is just a matter of time. It will be a long-term deal with a salary increase, and will also include a €1bn release clause.
Bayern Munich
Leroy Sane’s Bayern future could hinge on the club’s next manager - more details in Fabrizio Romano’s latest exclusive column.
There are no changes on the Bayern and Ralf Rangnick situation; talks are at an advanced and concrete stage over the project. More discussions will follow as Bayern will make crucial steps only after the game with Real Madrid. Salary is not an issue - talks will be again only about the project.
Thomas Tuchel: “Serge Gnabry will score tomorrow. It will happen. I don’t know how I know, but it will happen.”
Jamal Musiala is back in training for Bayern ahead of Real Madrid game after missing last match due to tendon irritation. Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Konrad Laimer are also back in training.
Chelsea
Xavi Simons to Chelsea rumours have surfaced, but what will PSG and RB Leipzig decide to do with the player this summer? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Thiago Silva confirms: “I’m gonna leave Chelsea at the end of the season. Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day.”
Silva really plans to return to Chelsea one day in non-playing role to be part of the club. He loves Chelsea and London, same for his family and kids in the Academy. Silva had an important proposal from abroad in January but he rejected to help Chelsea until the end.
Fluminense really want to bring Silva back to Brazil, their proposal is already being prepared. No final decision has been made yet, Thiago will think about it with his family and keep his options open.
What’s the latest on Romelu Lukaku’s Chelsea future? Matteo Moretto takes a look in his exclusive column.
Fiorentina
Sofyan Amrabat won’t be staying at Fiorentina once his Man Utd loan ends - more info from Matteo Moretto’s exclusive column.
Inter Milan
Inter director Piero Ausilio: “Joshua Zirkzee and Albert Gudmundsson are two excellent quality players but it doesn't mean that we will buy them. We will have four strikers next season, not five.”
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta confirms: “We plan to extend Simone Inzaghi’s contract as talks will take place in the next days. We are very happy with him.” Inter have already prepared their new deal proposal as Inzaghi is staying.
Alexis Sanchez will leave Inter as free agent at the end of the current season as expected, ready to try new chapter in the summer. Stefano Sensi will also leave Inter on free transfer after Leicester City deal collapsed on January Deadline Day.
Juventus
Juventus keep targeting and working on a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori as one of their priorities for summer window since February as Alex Sandro will leave the club. Sandro is leaving as a free agent in June while Juve could also sell Samuel Iling-Junior in case they receive a good proposal.
Leicester City
Jamie Vardy - who else? - scored as Leicester City confirmed they’ll go up as champions this season! FT Preston 0-3 Leicester [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is in Liverpool’s plans for next season despite links with clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Arne Slot has made it clear he wants Salah in his team when he takes over from Jurgen Klopp next season.
Fabrizio Romano with more on the Salah situation and Michael Edwards’ role over his future in today’s exclusive column.
Arne Slot to Liverpool is nearly all done, with documents signed and an announcement prepared - so why did Ruben Amorim’s move collapse when he looked like the favourite?
Liverpool have already started looking at centre-backs for the summer transfer window as one of the priority positions to cover. Internal talks are taking place about options and list to be discussed with Arne Slot in the next weeks.
Nico Williams to Liverpool? Reports suggest he’s one of their targets as they prepare for life under Arne Slot.
Manchester City
Joshua Kimmich to Manchester City talk won’t go away, with latest reports suggesting Pep Guardiola’s side could have an edge in the race for his signature.
Manchester United
Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future has been cleared up in today’s edition of Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column here.
Ronald Araujo to Manchester United this summer? Talks could take place with the Barcelona defender’s agents soon in a deal worth €100m.
Sofyan Amrabat won’t be staying at Fiorentina once his Man Utd loan ends - more info from Matteo Moretto’s exclusive column.
Newcastle United
Is this a possible hint from Bruno Guimaraes over his future at Newcastle?
Porto
Sergio Conceicao on his future: “I’m open to talk with Andre Villas-Boas, I’ve no problems with him - it's a pleasure.” Conceicao signed new deal at Porto under former president Da Costa and it could be mutually cancelled under new president Villas-Boas.
PSG
Xavi Simons linked with Chelsea but PSG will have the chance to loan him to RB Leipzig again - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Real Madrid
Leny Yoro to Real Madrid - what’s the latest? Matteo Moretto has the full details in his exclusive column.
Arda Guler: “We requested Real Madrid to pay a little more than €17.5 clause to Fenerbahce. They kindly agreed. I could have stayed at Fenerbahce for one more year, but I wanted to show the world what a Turkish young man from Fenerbahce could do in Europe.”
Carlo Ancelotti on Alphonso Davies deal and what’s gonna happen with Mendy: “I do not comment on rival players. I can talk about Ferland Mendy. He has recovered very well and is ready for tomorrow.”
San Diego FC
San Diego FC are in advanced talks to sign Hirving Lozano after LA Galaxy showing interest in October and Saudi clubs also keen few months ago. Conversations are concrete over a potential $12m fee, with a final decision expected soon.
Sporting Lisbon
Viktor Gyokeres has scored 40 goals this season for Sporting, in addition to 14 assists. Fantastic season for Gyokeres to lead Sporting to the potential Portuguese title.
Valencia
What was Marc-Andre ter Stegen thinking here? The Barcelona goalkeeper gifted Valencia this goal last night. FT Barcelona 4-2 Valencia [Pictures from Premier Sports]
West Ham United
Eddie Nketiah to West Ham could be one to watch again after interest last summer…
Could Ruben Amorim still be an option for West Ham manager or has that ship sailed? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his column.
Plus what about other candidates for the West Ham job? Julen Lopetegui looks doubtful, but two other big names are in the frame.