🚨 Man Utd deal CLOSE, Chelsea eye forward & defender, Liverpool's Slot decision, new Arsenal record, & more
Your Friday round-up, featuring Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and much more...
Good morning folks! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - all your essential football headlines in one place for you, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading, and enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
The latest on Rasmus Hojlund’s Man United future
Chelsea’s interest in Eric Garcia
Plus Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham & more
Arsenal
Arsenal have set a new English football record after their incredible run of six wins and six clean sheets in October - full story here!
Nacho Monreal: “I signed for Arsenal on the last day of the January transfer window, and to be honest the whole move was crazy for me, because I woke up on that day with no idea that I’d be signing for the club.” (Ladbrokes)
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Barcelona
Barcelona youngster Tommy Marques has been training with the club’s first-team. Hansi Flick wanted to test Marques to cover Pedri’s absence for the next four or five weeks. Premier League clubs have had some interest in Marques in recent months but Barca trust him. (Fabrizio Romano)
Lamine Yamal has purchased Gerard Pique’s former house in Esplugues de Llobregat in Barcelona. (Sport)
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae has interest from three Serie A clubs, including Juventus. (CF Bayern Insider)
Bayern are exploring a deal to sign Givairo Read from Feyenoord. Max Eberl is looking for a talented full-back, and the 19-year-old is one of their preferred targets. Talks have started, but there is strong competition from several Premier League clubs, while he has a contract until 2029. (Florian Plettenberg)
Celtic
Ange Postecoglou is considered unlikely to return as Celtic manager, while Kieran McKenna has ruled himself out of the job as he says he remains committed to Ipswich Town. (Ben Jacobs, Give Me Sport)
Chelsea
Chelsea recently had contacts over Eric Garcia as a potential transfer target, but they’ve now been informed that he’s off the market as he’s agreed terms on a new contract with Barcelona. (TBR Football)
Juventus have had contact over hiring Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, though a move would likely have to wait until the summer. (Simon Phillips)
Chelsea have submitted a proposal for €90m-rated Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. (TEAMtalk)
Juventus
Luciano Spalletti has signed his Juventus contract ahead of being officially announced as the club’s new manager. (Fabrizio Romano)
Juventus have had contact over hiring Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, though a move would likely have to wait until the summer. (Simon Phillips)
Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae has interest from three Serie A clubs, including Juventus. (CF Bayern Insider)
Lazio
Pedro has announced he plans to leave Lazio at the end of the season, when he becomes a free agent, saying: “I want Lazio to qualify in Europe and then it will be time to leave.”
Liverpool
Liverpool have made a decision on Arne Slot’s future after their awful run of six defeats from their last seven games - full story here!
Manchester United
Napoli are prepared to trigger Rasmus Hojlund’s purchase clause, making his loan move from Manchester United permanent at the end of the season. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester United are really keen on Elliot Anderson, and there’s the growing sense that the Nottingham Forest midfielder wants to make a step up in his career. (TEAMtalk)
Lucas Paqueta to Man United could be another major transfer saga to watch as contact has apparently been made over a potential deal. (Indy Kaila)
Jason Wilcox is a big fan of talented Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, who could be a realistic target for Man United next summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
Wilcox: “We have got to buy the right players. The right players who are talented but also who can deal with the pressure, who can take the squad forward. It is not always about just signing elite talent, they have got to have the right character and be somebody who can bring something different to the team.”
Joshua Zirkzee is emerging as one of a number of attacking targets for Roma this January. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Meanwhile, both Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo have been the subject of enquiries from West Ham, who called Manchester United to ask about both players on loan this January. (Fabrizio Romano)
Another report claims Zirkzee is also on AC Milan’s radar, though he’s previously rejected the Rossoneri, so they might not make the first move. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Ruben Amorim admits he expects Manchester United to “suffer” and “struggle” when Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo go to AFCON, but also said: “it’s going to be an opportunity. When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing (who are not playing)” (Samuel Luckhurst)
Napoli
Napoli are prepared to trigger Rasmus Hojlund’s purchase clause, making his loan move from Manchester United permanent at the end of the season. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on Aaron Ramsdale: “We’ve known Aaron for a long time and I think the big thing for him coming to this club was that he wanted to come. He was desperate to join us, and he’s acted that way ever since as well. There’s been no hint of frustration or negativity in the fact that he’s not played as much as he wants to. He wants to play more. He’s supported Nick really well but he’s been really positive. His energy’s been really good around the group.” (Press conference)
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior has received heavy criticism for the way he’s conducted himself recently, including his statement to Real Madrid fans. Full story here!
Tottenham
Tottenham are considering a surprise bid for West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen this January. (Fichajes)
Tottenham wanted Eric Garcia from Barcelona, but they’ve now been informed that he’s close to signing a new contract with the Catalan giants. (TBR Football)
West Ham United
Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo have been the subject of enquiries from West Ham, who called Manchester United to ask about both players on loan this January. (Fabrizio Romano)
Tottenham are considering a surprise bid for West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen this January. (Fichajes)