🚨 Man United to sign former player, Liverpool's €100m transfer, Arsenal lead striker race, Man City to battle for English midfielder, Rashford future update & more.
Plus Champions League Round-up and updates from the football world.
Good morning folks and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Champions League play-offs round-up:
Atletico Madrid cruise past Club Brugge
Alexander Sørloth fired a hat-trick as Atlético Madrid beat Club Brugge 4-1 to reach the Champions League last 16, sealing a 7-4 aggregate victory.
With the tie level at 3-3 after the first leg, Sørloth opened the scoring before Brugge briefly equalised. Johnny Cardoso restored Atlético’s lead early in the second half, and Sørloth struck twice more to complete his treble and wrap up the win.
Diego Simeone’s side will now face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round.
FT Atletico Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge [Pictures from CBS Sports Golazo]
Newcastle ease past Qarabag in UCL Play-off
Eddie Howe led Newcastle into the Champions League last 16 for the first time after a 3-2 win over Qarabag at St James’ Park, completing a dominant 9-3 aggregate triumph.
Already in control following a 6-1 first-leg victory, Newcastle effectively sealed the tie early through quick goals from Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.
Qarabag threatened briefly, but Sven Botman’s second-half header ensured the Magpies progressed comfortably.
FT Newcastle United 3-2 Qarabag [Pictures from CBS Sports Golazo]
Inter Milan stunned by minnows Bodo/Glimt
Bodo/Glimt produced a historic shock by eliminating Inter Milan from the Champions League with a 2-1 win at the San Siro, sealing a stunning 5-2 aggregate victory.
Second-half strikes from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen put the Norwegian side in control, and although Alessandro Bastoni replied for Inter, it was not enough.
The result makes Bodo/Glimt the first Norwegian club to win a Champions League knockout tie, setting up a last-16 clash with either Manchester City or Sporting CP.
FT Inter Milan 1-2 Bodo/Glimt [Pictures from CBS Sports Golazo]
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Arsenal
Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the race to sign Lens striker Rayan Fofana. (SportsBoom)
Arteta tells Arsenal to seal £45m transfer after verdict from coaching staff. More details!
Arsenal move to secure midfielder deal with Andrea Berta the driving force behind the move. Full Story here!
Barcelona
Marcus Rashford’s future appears increasingly tied to Barcelona, with reports indicating that the on-loan Manchester United forward has reached an agreement in principle over personal terms with the Spanish giants. (Nicolo Schira)
Chelsea
Chelsea have taken concrete steps in their pursuit of Ecuadorian midfielder Patrik Mercado. (TEAMtalk)
Liam Rosenior is not interested in letting striker Liam Delap leave the club. (Football Insider)
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are beginning to shape their managerial plans for the upcoming season, and Sean Dyche has emerged as one of several names under consideration. (Football Insider)
Juventus
Juventus are reportedly preparing a sensational move to sign Liverpool’s Alisson Becker this summer as part of a massive squad overhaul under Luciano Spalletti. (The Standard)
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Liverpool
Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all closely monitoring Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven. (TEAMtalk)
Latest on Liverpool move for €100m star as Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea circle. More details!
Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in signing the Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba. (Fussball Daten)
Manchester City
Multiple clubs across Europe and the United States are monitoring the situation of Bernardo Silva ahead of the summer transfer window. (Mail)
Man City, along with Premier League rivals Arsenal, are leading the race for Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood. (Caught Offside)
Manchester United
Manchester United line up €60m bid for AFCON-winning midfield enforcer. Full Story here!
Manchester United are looking to replace Casemiro with Nottingham Forest’s Ivory Coast international Ibrahim Sangaré. (GiveMeSport)
Manchester United are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Scott McTominay back to Old Trafford in a move. (Fichajes)
Manchester United have established a ‘strong interest’ in a deal for Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White. (Mail)
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are reportedly exploring a summer move for Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Hugo Bueno. (Football Insider)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid playmaker Franco Mastantuono has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season with Tottenham showing interest in signing him. (Fichajes)
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe becomes late injury doubt for Benfica clash. More details!
Tottenham
Tottenham turned down the chance to sign Ademola Lookman in the January transfer window. (Sun)
(Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Tottenham star’s camp has already held talks with Juventus ahead of potential summer move. Full Story here!
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Lens keeper Robin Risser at the end of the season. (TEAMtalk)
