🚨 Liverpool LEAD Semenyo race, insider info on Vinicius' future, Forest stance on Anderson transfer, Bayern star's dig at Arsenal, & more
Today's headlines and news clips from last night's European action.
Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s round-up :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus latest on Elliot Anderson’s future and more!
Europa & Conference League round-up
Nottingham Forest cruise to win over Malmo
Nottingham Forest continued their impressive revival under Sean Dyche with a comfortable win over Malmo in the Europa League last night.
Goals from Ryan Yates, Arnaud Kalimuendo, and Nikola Milenkovic did the business for Forest as they cruised to a 3-0 victory at the City Ground.
FT Nottingham Forest 3-0 Malmo [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Aston Villa beat Young Boys thanks to Donyell Malen double
Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen scored twice to help Unai Emery’s side to a 2-1 win over Young Boys.
The Dutchman scored twice in the first half, but a superb goal from Joel Monteiro made it a bit of a nervy finish at Villa Park, though the home side held on for the victory.
FT Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Strasbourg come from behind to beat Crystal Palace
Chelsea got a glimpse of their future as Emanuel Emegha scored in a strong performance for Strasbourg against Crystal Palace.
The young striker will be moving to Stamford Bridge next season, and he finished well to draw Liam Rosenior’s side level last night after a fine early goal by Tyrick Mitchell.
Adam Wharton missed a great chance as he hit the bar for Palace, with Samir El Mourabet eventually hitting the winner for Strasbourg.
FT Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Arsenal tried to sign him in the summer, now they’re set to face competition for this €40m deal - full story here!
Joshua Kimmich has aimed a dig at Arsenal, saying: “I think PSG were the toughest one, especially the way they play football. Arsenal is completely different. They rely on set-pieces. They love to play the long balls, they love to fight for the second balls, it was a completely different game. Against PSG, it’s more a football game. Today, it was not so much about football, it was about game management, it was more about the duels. The win was well-deserved, but we have to learn from this game.” (TNT Sports)
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Barcelona
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has spoken out on an injury problem he’s been having - full story here!
Joan Laporta notably nearly signed legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech for Barca, according to the player’s agent. (Sport)
Marcus Rashford on the defeat to Chelsea: “It was a tough night. They are a very good, young and fresh team. With one player less it is easy to say that the game becomes difficult, but they also did the right thing with the ball: they took advantage of the extra man very well and made it difficult for us both to reach their area and to defend.” (CBS Sports)
Nico Williams on why he rejected Barcelona: “Athletic and Bilbao are everything to me. Here I have grown as a person and as a player. Representing this club and this city has made me understand the value of work, humility and family. We all know that Athletic is unique in the world, as the motto says. I have always put what I feel first and I have been guided by my heart. I am very familiar and very much of my people, and here in Bilbao I have my family and mine, with whom I consult every step I take in my life. I like to listen to my brother, he always has good advice for me, and now being able to enjoy playing in the Champions League together is a dream.” (GQ Hype)
Bayern Munich
Arne Slot and Richard Hughes disagreed over the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich in the summer, with the sporting director eventually overruling the manager as he didn’t want to give Diaz a new contract. (Indy Kaila, CaughtOffside)
Joshua Kimmich has aimed a dig at Arsenal, saying: “I think PSG were the toughest one, especially the way they play football. Arsenal is completely different. They rely on set-pieces. They love to play the long balls, they love to fight for the second balls, it was a completely different game. Against PSG, it’s more a football game. Today, it was not so much about football, it was about game management, it was more about the duels. The win was well-deserved, but we have to learn from this game.” (TNT Sports)
Chelsea
Chelsea are not expecting to be serious contenders for the Premier League title this season, with Enzo Maresca mainly expected to seal qualification for the Champions League again. (Sky Sports)
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are eager to sign Joe Willock as it looks like the former Arsenal midfielder will be free to leave Newcastle for the right price this January. (Telegraph)
Leeds United
Ange Postecoglou is being eyed by Leeds United amid growing doubts over the position of current manager Daniel Farke. (talkSPORT)
Liverpool
Arne Slot and Richard Hughes disagreed over the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich in the summer, with the sporting director eventually overruling the manager as he didn’t want to give Diaz a new contract. (Indy Kaila, CaughtOffside)
Arne Slot had an emergency meeting with the Liverpool board yesterday and has been told what he has to do to keep his job - full details here!
Liverpool are early front-runners for Antoine Semenyo after initial talks over the Bournemouth winger and Manchester City target. (iNews)
Jamie Carragher has mostly defended Slot but joked that he should be sacked for starting Ibrahima Konate! (CBS Sports)
Another former Liverpool player, Dietmar Hamann, called on Slot to drop Mohamed Salah or risk losing his job. (RTE Sport)
Manchester United
Vinicius Junior to Manchester United? The Red Devils have made an initial approach to the player’s representatives amid uncertainty over his future at Real Madrid. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester United are showing a strong interest in talented young Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, though the 20-year-old is also on the radar of other Premier League clubs. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Conor Gallagher is a top Man United target at the moment, with the Red Devils felt to be leading the race to bring the former Chelsea man back to the Premier League. (AS)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim could be ready to clear out as many as eleven of his current Red Devils first-team. (The Sun)
Joshua Zirkzee is one United player who could leave, with Amorim reportedly losing patience with the Dutch striker as he’s eyed by Roma ahead of January. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Newcastle United
Antonio Cordero could be set to seal a new loan move, with Newcastle United keen to end his unsuccessful stint with KVC Westerlo and send him back to Spain, with Deportivo La Coruna leading the race. (Cadena SER)
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest insist they won’t sell star midfield player Elliot Anderson in January despite growing interest from the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle. (Daily Mail)
Real Madrid
Inside the Vinicius Junior situation at Real Madrid, with details of his tense relationship with Xabi Alonso and high contract demands. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Tottenham
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has told the board that he wants to sign two new attacking players in the January transfer window. (Football Insider)