🚨 Man City star's release clause, Maguire speaks out on West Ham talks, truth about Arsenal star's Juventus links, and more
Today's transfer headlines all in one place, featuring Man City, Arsenal and more!
Good morning guys and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, brought to you completely ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Al Arabi
Official: Marco Verratti poses in his new Al Arabi kit after joining in a €45m deal from Paris St Germain.
But can this deal be the start of Qatar rivalling Saudi Arabia for major transfers? More on that here.
Arsenal
Arsenal keep working on Martin Odegaard’s new deal with optimism. The Norway international has spoken publicly about how happy he is at the club, and they are also very happy with him, so the plan is to continue together for a long time.
Odegaard’s great finish against Man Utd below courtesy of Sky Sports…
Odegaard on his future: “I don’t have much to say, apart from the fact that I am very happy at Arsenal and I hope I can be there for a long time. Beyond that, I have no comment right now. Now, it is the national team that is in focus.”
Could this Arsenal midfielder replace Paul Pogba at Juventus?
Barcelona
Barcelona director Deco confirms: “Xavi will sign new deal, he deserves to extend the contract. How many years? You will see soon, but we really trust Xavi for the future.”
Barca director Deco on more new deals: “The two renewals of Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal are already on track, we will have both signing new deals. You will surely have news in the coming days.”
Deco on Vitor Roque: “We always want to bring him as soon as possible but the deal is clear: Roque’s plan is that he can only come in January or next year. He’s not coming sooner has been due to a negotiation issue with Athletico Paranaense and we had to accept.”
Deco: “There’s NO buy option in both Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo deals — one year loan. If they perform at good level, we will try to keep them at the club. We will be on it, this is not something being discussed today.”
Chelsea
Trevoh Chalobah rejected a move to Nottingham Forest on Deadline Day because he wanted to join Bayern; then his preference was to stay at Chelsea despite a £25m being deal agreed between Chelsea and Forest. He'll fight for his place but sources expect Chalobah to leave the club in January.
What’s the latest on Christopher Nkunku’s return to action for Chelsea?
Inter Milan
Samir Handanovic is prepared to retire from professional football after becoming a free agent this summer. The Slovenian goalkeeper could stay at Inter with a different role.
Inter will advance on Federico Dimarco’s new deal talks very soon. Negotiations will take place to extend Italian left-back’s contract. “Dimarco deserves new deal, he loves the club and we will negotiate as soon as possible,” Inter CEO Marotta said.
Juventus
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke: “He has a long-term contract with Liverpool. He’s not available for national coaching position.” Klopp’s focus has always been on the Liverpool project.
Lyon
Lyon are closing in on a deal to appoint Fabio Grosso as their new manager! Agreement almost completed, just final details left on contract then done. Grosso did an excellent job at Frosinone last season and is a former Lyon player. It was never a done deal with Gennaro Gattuso.
Manchester City
Bernardo Silva has a release clause in his Manchester City contract - full info here.
A reminder of Bernardo’s importance to Man City, courtesy of BT Sport…
Manchester United
Harry Maguire: “I’ve not started a game in the first four games of the season, the story comes to me. I want to play football. West Ham? We just didn’t come to an agreement. Man Utd were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place.”
Napoli
Victor Osimhen will sign a new contract with Napoli but there’s one crucial condition - more details here.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo has been given a five-month ban by the FA after admitting 375 breaches of betting rules. His ban is suspended until the end of 2024-25. He’s also been fined £20,956.
Nottingham Forest were busy again and nearly made some other big-name signings - full info here.
Poland
Fernando Santos has officially been fired by the Poland national team - confirmed.
PSG
Adana Demirspor agree deal to sign Edouard Michut on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The deal includes a buy option clause — Patrick Kluivert wanted Michut. Verbal agreement sealed, waiting to check documents and sign.
Sampdoria
Pajtim Kasami is set to sign as new Sampdoria player until June 2024, contract sealed. Kasami has accepted as he was free agent. The deal will also include an option for further season.
Sporting Lisbon
Pedro Goncalves has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, but could he be on the move soon? More here.
West Ham
Harry Maguire: “West Ham? We just didn’t come to an agreement. Man Utd were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place.”
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Barcelona are coming for Bernardo...