🚨 Man Utd eye Arsenal duo, Liverpool in for Morgan Rogers, Fabrizio Romano's worrying Rodri update, international round-up, & more
Today's round-up of transfer headlines and major international matches.
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus Rodri’s future and much more!
International round-up
Italy end Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream
Italy were made to work for it, but eventually came away with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland to progress to the final stages of the World Cup playoffs.
Sandro Tonali scored a superb opening goal and Moise Kean added a well-taken second to fire Italy through and end Northern Ireland’s qualification dream.
FT Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Wales lose on penalties to miss out on World Cup
Wales suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties last night to miss out on World Cup qualification.
Dan James scored a stunning long-range effort to give Wales the lead, but 40-year-old Edin Dzeko showed he’s still got it with a dramatic late equaliser.
Bosnia then won the penalty shoot-out to secure their passage to the next round of the playoffs.
FT Wales 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-4 on penalties) [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Mbappe & Ekitike score as France beat Brazil
France scored two lovely goals as they beat Brazil in a friendly yesterday evening.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a sublime chip, and Hugo Ekitike scored France’s second with a similar dinked finish.
Bremer got one back for Brazil, but it was a morale-boosting victory for Les Bleus ahead of this summer’s World Cup, where they’ll be the favourites to win the competition.
FT Brazil 1-2 France [Pictures from ITV Sport]
Arsenal
Arsenal face surprise interest from Manchester United in talented young left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly after his lack of first-team opportunities this season. (Sky Sports)
Ben White is attracting interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Everton, but Arsenal would ideally like to keep him for a bit longer. (TEAMtalk)
Arsenal are ready to battle Manchester City for 17-year-old Hearts wonderkid Alfie Osborne this summer. (TEAMtalk)
Barcelona
Marcus Rashford’s permanent move to Barcelona is in doubt, with the Catalan giants only keen to pay his £26m clause in instalments, though the player’s preference is to stay at the Nou Camp permanently. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Mohamed Salah is emerging as a surprise transfer target for Barcelona, with Hansi Flick already working out what the Egyptian’s role in his squad would be. (Fichajes)
Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde is attracting interest ahead of the summer, with enquiries coming in from Manchester United, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. (Mundo Deportivo)
Atletico Madrid are being linked as suitors for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, who faces an uncertain future this summer. (Marca)
This Barcelona star has made it clear that he’s not happy with his situation after a lack of playing time this season - read the full quotes here!
Bayern Munich
Bayern chief Max Eberl on Michael Olise to Liverpool links: “We’re not giving it a second thought. He’s an FC Bayern player and has all the opportunities here that top players could wish for.” (Sport Bild)
The Daily Briefing newsletter is now FREE to read - with all your essential football headlines delivered ad-free straight to your inbox seven mornings a week.
UPGRADE to a paid subscription to receive exclusive in-depth transfer news, comment, and analysis from our experts!
Chelsea
Chelsea are considering a summer transfer window move for Juventus attacker Francisco Conceicao, but they’re not the only suitors for him. (Sports Boom)
Chelsea are eyeing a surprise move for this experienced Premier League defender - full details here!
Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic is close to agreeing a new Juventus contract just months before he would have become a free agent. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Meanwhile, this Juve star being linked with Premier League clubs has responded to questions over his future - more info here!
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is emerging as a surprise transfer target for Barcelona, with Hansi Flick already working out what the Egyptian’s role in his squad would be. (Fichajes)
New details have emerged about how Salah had rows with both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot as he proved occasionally difficult to manage during his time at Anfield. (Telegraph)
Liverpool have a long list of attacking players for the summer, including Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who could be on the move despite only recently signing a new contract. (Ben Jacobs)
Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the performances of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, though his club are keen to offer him a new contract. (Il Giornale)
Liverpool could also be surprise contenders to sign Ben White if leaves Arsenal this summer, though the Gunners would prefer him to stay. (TEAMtalk)
The agent of Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has spoken out amid links with Liverpool. (Sky Germany)
Liverpool are also being linked with a shock raid on rivals Everton for in-form Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye. (TEAMtalk)
Liverpool have a long-standing interest in this Premier League defender - full story here!
Manchester City
Rodri has opened the door to a transfer to Real Madrid as he is yet to make any progress on a new contract with Manchester City. (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester United
Marcus Rashford’s permanent move to Barcelona is in doubt, with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan looking into his situation ahead of the summer. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the performances of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, though his club are keen to offer him a new contract. (Il Giornale)
Manchester United would ideally like to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson before the World Cup to avoid his price tag potentially being inflated. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United are also looking at Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali as their main candidates to replace the departing Casemiro. (Daily Mail)
There’s even the suggestion that Tonali is now ahead of Manchester United’s other midfield targets, with a formal approach for the Italy international expected at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)
Morgan Gibbs White is emerging as a top Manchester United target in case they need to replace Bruno Fernandes this summer. (talkSPORT)
RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye are both high up on Manchester United’s list of winger targets for this summer. (Sky Sports)
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is appreciated by Manchester United as they look at options to strengthen at left-back this summer. (Sky Sports)
Newcastle United
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is appreciated by Manchester United as they look at options to strengthen at left-back this summer. (Sky Sports)
Real Madrid
Rodri has opened the door to a transfer to Real Madrid as he is yet to make any progress on a new contract with Manchester City. (Fabrizio Romano)
Meanwhile, other shock reports claim that Real Madrid’s dream target in midfield is Pedri from their bitter rivals Barcelona. (Marca)
This Real Madrid star could be set to leave this summer, with two Premier League clubs on alert - more info here!
Tottenham
Tottenham risk losing one of their most exciting young players this summer - full story here!