🚨 Madrid Derby thriller, why Sancho can revive his career at Dortmund, complication over Arsenal deal, Dragusin drama, and much more
Today's round-up of transfer news, goal highlights, and more!
Good morning folks and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Jadon Sancho’s future, Man Utd director latest, and MUFC striker search
Drama in yesterday’s derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid
AC Milan
What a goal by Rafael Leao after a lovely Milan move! FT AC Milan 1-2 Atalanta [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
AC Milan are not proceeding with the formal steps to sign Matija Popovic as a free agent at current conditions. Negotiations are now off after the requests turned down by the club. Serbian talent Popovic (born 2006) will decide next steps soon as he’s free agent since Monday.
Al Ittihad
Former Barcelona director Ramon Planes said yes to a proposal from Al Ittihad and will leave Real Betis with immediate effect. He’s going to become the new Al Ittihad director with Marcelo Gallardo as coach.
Arsenal
Many clubs are interested in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, with Crystal Palace among those, but a deal looks complicated this January as the Gunners would want to sign a replacement first, and there don’t look like being any realistic options on the market.
Joshua Zirkzee is one name linked with Arsenal, but what’s the reality regarding his situation?
Mikel Arteta has just 18 months left on his contract at Arsenal - cause for concern?
Barcelona
Ronald Araujo on Bayern links: “Every transfer window we have stories about me, they also said about Man United last summer. My focus is on Barcelona. I’m doing my best for Barca, 100%. It’s a privilege to wear the captain’s armband, I feel the responsibility.”
What’s the reality behind the Araujo-Bayern links? Fabrizio Romano with all you need to know here.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s first official bid to sign 16-year-old striker Jonah Kusi-Asare has been rejected by AIK Solna. Their €4m proposal is still not enough to agree with AIK as they want around €6m fee to make the deal happen. PSV Eindhoven, Club Brugge and more clubs can enter the race.
Ronald Araujo on Bayern links: “Every transfer window we have stories about me, they also said about Man United last summer. My focus is on Barcelona. I’m doing my best for Barca, 100%. It’s a privilege to wear the captain’s armband, I feel the responsibility.”
What’s the reality behind the Araujo-Bayern links? Fabrizio Romano with all you need to know here.
Borussia Dortmund
Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund, here we go! Deal in place between Man United and BVB on loan, NO buy option. Sancho has been cleared to travel for his medical. BVB will cover part of the salary plus loan fee. €4m package in total.
Can Jadon Sancho revive his career at Borussia Dortmund? Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive insight and analysis here.
Ian Maatsen has completed his medical tests at Borussia Dortmund. Contracts have also been signed on the left-back’s loan move until June. Chelsea will also extend his deal until 2027 with release clause included, while BVB will have the priority to sign Maatsen in June.
Italy Under-16 centre-back Luca Reggiani is already in Dortmund to sign as a new BVB player on his first professional contract.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth are pushing to sign highly-rated Ecuador wonderkid Oscar Zambrano as yesterday there were new talks between the clubs with LDU Quito. German sides Freiburg and Stuttgart have also joined in the interest.
Brighton
Valentin Barco to Brighton, here we go! Today is Barco deal day after decision to trigger $10m release clause from Boca as reported last week. The 2004-born talent will complete initial tests for Brighton in Argentina. Barco will also sign the contract later today, done deal.
Chelsea
This Chelsea star remains appreciated by Tottenham, but how likely is a move?
Ian Maatsen has completed his medical tests at Borussia Dortmund. Contracts have also been signed on the left-back’s loan move until June. Chelsea will also extend his deal until 2027 with release clause included, while BVB will have the priority to sign Maatsen in June.
Could Chelsea sign a new left-back to replace Ian Maatsen? Full info here in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Paulo Dybala has a bargain release clause and has been linked with Chelsea - could the deal happen?
Frankie Runham has signed his first professional contract with Chelsea. The attacking midfielder has been in the academy for ten years and is highly thought of at Cobham. Another top talent produced at Chelsea.
Crystal Palace
Many clubs are interested in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, with Crystal Palace among those, but a deal looks complicated this January as the Gunners would want to sign a replacement first, and there don’t look like being any realistic options on the market.
Everton
Sevilla keep pushing for the signing of Hannibal Mejbri on loan, while Everton are also still trying to sign the Manchester United youngster. It’s up to the player as revealed three days ago - decision soon.
Fenerbahce
Pictured: Leonardo Bonucci on his way to Istanbul with his agent Alessandro Lucci as he will sign as Fenerbahce player in the next hours. Contract valid until June 2024, short term deal.
Rade Krunic to Fenerbahce! Deal ready as AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani confirms: “Yes, the deal should be ok. We wish Rade best of luck, I hope he’ll do great things at Fenerbahce.” Agreement being sealed on €4.5/5m fee. Here we go soon.
Fulham
Willian showed quick feet and composure to give Fulham an early lead away to Liverpool last night, even if it wasn’t enough to prevent the Reds’ comeback. FT Liverpool 2-1 Fulham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Genoa
Djed Spence will have his medical with Genoa today as he joins on loan from Tottenham as part of the Radu Dragusin deal. The loan deal includes a buy option clause, which is not mandatory and in the region of €10m.
Juventus
Juventus will get 20% of the Radu Dragusin deal as part of the contract they agreed with Genoa. The fee will be re-invested on Tiago Djalo, with the final details being sorted on the player’s contract. Lille will get €3.5m plus 10% sell on, his medical is expected next week.
Liverpool
A neat finish by Cody Gakpo saw Liverpool come from behind to beat Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie. FT Liverpool 2-1 Fulham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Fabio Carvalho has signed his contract as a new Hull City player as his loan move from Liverpool has been sealed. It’s all done, with Carvalho set to play his first game as Hull City new signing tomorrow.
Fabio Carvalho may NOT have a long-term future at Liverpool, according to Neil Jones.
But on a more positive note, is there now cause for optimism that Mohamed Salah will stay at Anfield? Neil Jones thinks so.
What if Timo Werner had joined Liverpool when he had the chance?
Lyon
Malick Fofana to Lyon, here we go - confirmed! A deal has been signed between all parties involved. Genk will receive €17m fee plus €5m in add-ons. He’s joining on a contract until June 2028.
Manchester City
Mexican wonderkid Alex Alcala (born 2005) will join City Football Group. CFG bought option from Galaxy in 2020 after being impressed at several tournaments and have now exercised the option to buy. Long term year deal agreed and completed.
Manchester United
Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund, here we go! Deal in place between Man United and BVB on loan, NO buy option. Sancho has been cleared to travel for his medical. BVB will cover part of the salary plus loan fee. €4m package in total.
Can Jadon Sancho revive his career at Borussia Dortmund? Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive insight and analysis here.
Sevilla keep pushing for the signing of Hannibal Mejbri on loan, while Everton are also still trying to sign the Manchester United youngster. It’s up to the player as revealed three days ago - decision soon.
Look out for a new striker signing at Man United - but only if *this* player leaves…
Napoli
Victor Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda released an official statement on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s agent quotes. “Everyone must look into their own home and have respect for the work of others. It is not correct to talk about the future of other players. This creates misunderstandings and problems as well as unfortunate predictions. The alleged words of agent Mamuka Jugeli are bad, superficial and unacceptable. These words create problems for my player Victor Osimhen with Napoli fans without any reason or real of the reality. We have just signed a contract renewal and Victor’s only wish, in addition to the Africa Cup of Nations, is to help Napoli. Everything else is rubbish.”
Napoli are preparing documents to get Matteo Politano’s contract extension sealed in the next days, waiting on final details. The agreement will be valid for three-and-half years added on his contract Napoli rejected Al Shabab approaches for Politano.
PSG
When asked if he has plans with and without Kylian Mbappe, Nasser Al Khelaifi: answered: “I’ve a plan. I’ve a plan with Kylian. I’ll not enter into the details. I can only say that I’m not stressed on Mbappe topic.”
Paris Saint-Germain sources have denied any negotiation or agreement with Galatasaray for Sacha Boey. This follows reports that PSG wanted to sign him as a replacement for Nordi Mukiele.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid won a crazy game against Atletico Madrid last night, featuring this dramatic goal by Brahim Diaz! FT Real Madrid 5-3 Atletico Madrid [Pictures from ESPN]
Arda Guler: “I was injured for 5 or 6 months. I recovered from my injury and the coach immediately put me in the squad and let me play. He constantly shows and tells me his confidence in me. Hopefully, if I continue like this, everything will get better.”
Roma
Sevilla
Official, confirmed: Lucien Agoume has signed as a new Sevilla player in a loan deal from Inter Milan. €8m buy option clause not mandatory also included. Inter have a buy-back clause.
Sevilla keep pushing for the signing of Hannibal Mejbri on loan, while Everton are also still trying to sign the Manchester United youngster. It’s up to the player as revealed three days ago - decision soon.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk have agreed a deal to sign Kevin from Palmeiras for €15m. The 2003-born winger will travel in order to undergo medical tests on Saturday. Deal completed by Paulo Pitombeira, Talents Sports agency.
Tottenham
Radu Dragusin medical tests took place at Tottenham ground and he’s going to sign the contract soon. Details of the contract: around €3m salary per season, deal valid until June 2029. Documents already exchanged between Spurs and Genoa for €25m plus €5m deal.
Radu Dragusin’s agent: “We can't believe we turned down Bayern...Radu had given his word to Spurs and chose to respect this. We’re all still mindblown a bit!”
This Chelsea star remains appreciated by Tottenham, but how likely is a move?
What if Timo Werner had joined Liverpool when he had the chance?
Djed Spence will join Genoa on loan deal from Spurs… but it will include buy option clause. It’s not mandatory and it will be in the region of €10m - up to Genoa in June. Tottenham will pay Spence’s full salary as part of the Radu Dragusin deal.
Nice goals