🚨 Liverpool in talks over Trent replacement, Man Utd contact striker's agents, Chelsea star could LEAVE, big Arsenal boost, & more
*FREE* Friday briefing! Latest on Liverpool exits and replacements, plus good news for Arsenal!
Good morning and welcome to your *FREE* Friday edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Bukayo Saka returns to Arsenal training plus double transfer boost
Could this Chelsea star be on his way out this summer?
Plus more from Liverpool, Man United and Barcelona
Arsenal
“Hello again,” says Bukayo Saka on Instagram as he’s returned to training with Arsenal squad. He’s also set to be ready to play against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Have Arsenal already secured their two top summer transfer targets for a combined €120m? Full story here!
Barcelona
What a move and what a finish by Robert Lewandowski as Barcelona continued their fine form! FT Barcelona 3-0 Osasuna [Pictures from Premier Sports]
Ronald Araujo spoke with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick yesterday to confirm his commitment and intention to be part of the squad for the upcoming game against Osasuna. Despite the long flight and manager’s plan to let him rest, Araujo wanted to be involved. He feels good and has made himself available to help the team.
Jules Kounde: “We’re angry about the date of the game. It’s not normal. We’ve said it many times, the calendar issue. I know sometimes there are people who have a hard time understanding it. We’re very lucky to do what we do, I consider myself fortunate. To live off our passion and live well. But it’s disrespectful to the club to set this date. It doesn’t matter if it’s Barca, Osasuna, or Real Madrid when it happens. It’s disrespectful to the players. We’re not machines, and to produce the game we produce and to give the fans what they want, we need a rest. All institutions have to understand that, not just La Liga. They can’t set dates that come their way... we don’t want to make excuses, that’s not what we do.”
Ferran Torres: “I just enjoy every minute whenever the coach needs me on the pitch. I’m here to help Barca. Every game from now on will be a final.”
Hansi Flick: “I keep saying that for me Pedri is the best midfielder in the world now. It’s a pleasure to watch him playing, he’s fantastic… an unbelievable player.”
Flick: “I’m very proud of Gavi because it hasn’t been an easy year for him. He had a bad injury, then came back, and then sat on the bench, but he’s always extremely focused. He’s a La Masia player, and I think he’s an amazing player for this club.”
Gavi: “I’m proud, it’s a dream for me to get Barcelona’s captain armband. In the end, I’ve been a Barcelona fan since I was little as I’ve always been here at the club. I’m very happy to wear the captain’s armband, and so I also thank Pedri.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso on his future: “I didn’t announce any decision because there’s nothing to decide now. The situation is different. One year ago there was something to decide, but now there is nothing, that's the big difference. My full focus is on this season.”
Bournemouth
Dean Huijsen: “Real Madrid? It’s an honour when such a big club is interested in me.”
Chelsea
Chelsea’s current plan for Estevao Willian is for him to play in the FIFA Club World Cup with side Palmeiras. He’ll then join Chelsea right after the tournament to start the new season under Enzo Maresca.
Mile Svilar to Chelsea? The Blues are understood to be monitoring the Roma star amid a dispute over his new contract with the Serie A giants.
Meanwhile, another Chelsea goalkeeper could be leaving for a major European club - full story here!
Christopher Nkunku’s Chelsea future remains in doubt after he almost left the club in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.
David Ornstein on Liam Delap: “Nothing concrete because there is a lot still to be decided. For example, will suitors like Chelsea and Manchester United be playing European football next season and if so, which competition? I definitely see him getting a big move, though, regardless of whether Ipswich retain their Premier League status.”
Juventus
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli: “Igor Tudor will stay with us until the end of the season, Club World Cup included. We will assess the situation after that as our hope is to continue together with Igor Tudor as head coach. He has important qualities.”
Fabrizio Romano: “David Hancko’s move to Juventus in the summer is far from being guaranteed or agreed at this stage. He’s always been high on Juventus list for months with a bid rejected by Feyenoord in January… but it’s not a done deal now. Several clubs remain keen on signing Hancko.”
Liverpool
Has there finally been a breakthrough with Mohamed Salah’s new Liverpool contract? Reports in Egypt suggest there’s finally some good news for Reds fans…
Jarell Quansah is on Newcastle’s shortlist for the centre-back position ahead of the summer transfer window. There haven’t been any contacts or talks yet, but he’s on the list. Dean Huijsen is another name appreciated but Newcastle feel it looks difficult to get a deal done.
Darwin Nunez transfer interest is being actively encouraged by Liverpool as they look to sell the misfiring Uruguayan striker this summer!
Could this be Liverpool’s replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold? Some initial talks have apparently already taken place…full story here!
Manchester United
Could Manchester United be about to get a fresh opportunity to sign this Premier League forward? Full story here!
Jonathan David Manchester United transfer contact has been made, but Ruben Amorim is unsure if the Lille striker fits his preferred style of play…
David Ornstein on Liam Delap: “Nothing concrete because there is a lot still to be decided. For example, will suitors like Chelsea and Manchester United be playing European football next season and if so, which competition? I definitely see him getting a big move, though, regardless of whether Ipswich retain their Premier League status.”
Newcastle United
Jarell Quansah is on Newcastle’s shortlist for the centre-back position ahead of the summer transfer window. There haven’t been any contacts or talks yet, but he’s on the list. Dean Huijsen is another name appreciated but Newcastle feel it looks difficult to get a deal done.
Dango Ouattara is being linked with Newcastle, but they’re not the only ones eyeing up the €35m-rated Bournemouth wide-man…
Real Madrid
UEFA have announced that they have opened an investigation into the celebrations of Antonio Rudiger, Dani Ceballos, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior after the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid game at the Metropolitano.
Dean Huijsen: “Real Madrid? It’s an honour when such a big club is interested in me.”
Dani Carvajal: “The goal of being the most awarded player in Real Madrid’s history is unimaginable. I go to bed happy every night every time I think about it.”
West Ham United
Mohammed Kudus is expected to be the subject of an £84m bid from Al Nassr. Kudus is thought to be open to moving on from West Ham and interested in playing in the Saudi Pro League, according to Ben Jacobs.
