🚨 Liverpool deal AGREED, Chelsea eye Prem CB, NEW Arsenal injury blow, Alonso future latest, UCL news clips & more
Today's headlines and clips from last night's Champions League action.
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus Chelsea eyeing Prem CB & more
Champions League round-up
Arsenal score two stunners to maintain 100% start
Arsenal won yet again in the Champions League, picking up a 3-0 win away to Club Brugge to maintain their perfect start in this season’s competition.
A screamer from Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the first half, and he added a second with a header early in the second period.
Gabriel Martinelli then produced a sublime effort of his own to make sure of the three points for Mikel Arteta’s men.
FT Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Manchester City grab a close victory at the Bernabeu
Manchester City came from behind to grab a 2-1 win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
A fine goal by Rodrygo Goes gave Real the lead, but Nico O’Reilly bundled in a corner to level things up.
Erling Haaland then slotted home coolly from the penalty spot for what proved to be the winner, though Madrid came close when Endrick’s second-half header hit the bar.
FT Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Newcastle just miss out on win in Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen scored a late equaliser to deny Newcastle what would have been an impressive away win in the Champions League.
An own goal by Bruno Guimaraes gave the home side the lead, but Eddie Howe’s men hit back well through second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley.
Alejandro Grimaldo broke forward in the closing stages, however, and finished well to make it a final score of 2-2.
FT Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Champions League scores in full
Qarabag 2-4 Ajax
Villarreal 2-3 Copenhagen
Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 PSG
Benfica 2-0 Napoli
Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Bodo/Glimt
Juventus 2-0 Pafos
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
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Arsenal
Arsenal are increasingly keen on signing Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt, but they also look set to face competition from north London rivals Tottenham. (TEAMtalk)
Jamie Carragher looks like he might have been absolutely spot on with this bold Arsenal prediction from early in the summer - full story here!
There’s been yet another Arsenal injury blow reported - full story here!
Barcelona
There’s been a fresh Dani Olmo injury update for Barcelona, and it sounds promising. (Mundo Deportivo)
Chelsea
Chelsea are showing a strong interest in talented young Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli at their fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg. (CaughtOffside)
Chelsea ownership BlueCo are now also closing in all the signing of highly-rated 16-year-old midfielder Muhammad Zongo. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea are making Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo one of their top targets for 2026 but look set to face competition from Real Madrid for the Brazilian’s signature. (Daily Mail)
Chelsea insiders are growing frustrated with manager Enzo Maresca and his tactics, with the approach on the pitch proving very different from what they work on on the training ground. (Indy Kaila)
Liverpool
Liverpool have agreed terms with Antoine Semenyo as they’ve matched the contract offer Manchester City have also made to the Bournemouth winger, who has a £65m release clause for the first part of this January’s transfer window. (Indy Kaila, CaughtOffside)
Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah could reportedly be set for a key meeting imminently which will decide the Egyptian superstar’s future at Liverpool - more info here!
There’s also speculation that Mohamed Salah has had a major falling out with one of his Liverpool teammates in particular - full details here!
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is a surprise transfer target for AC Milan, who look to be preparing a move for the Brazilian shot-stopper. (Sacha Tavolieri)
Marc Guehi remains very keen on joining Liverpool despite also having strong interest from Barcelona and other top clubs as he nears the end of his contract with Crystal Palace. (TEAMtalk)
Manchester City
Manchester City have made progress on one major transfer deal but could it now be hijacked? Full story here!
Manchester United
Manchester United are making a midfielder their priority in the transfer window, with three main names on their list - full story here!
Manchester United have made a contract offer to Sergio Ramos as he’s now available as a free agent, but AC Milan are also interested in the legendary Spain defender. (Cadena SER)
Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly both interested in a potential transfer battle to sign Trabzonspor midfielder Inao Oulai. (TEAMtalk)
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham made a cryptic comment amid ongoing doubts over Xabi Alonso’s future as Real Madrid manager after last night’s defeat against Manchester City. (CBS Sports)
Kylian Mbappe injury update looks like more bad news for Real Madrid! (Marca)
Plus read the full Real Madrid player ratings after another difficult night at the Bernabeu for Alonso’s side…
Tottenham
Tottenham are interested in Kobbie Mainoo and could have an advantage over the likes of Napoli and Bayern Munich as the Manchester United midfielder’s preference is to stay in the Premier League. (TEAMtalk)