🚨 Man Utd to back Amorim with funds for PL duo, Arsenal "confident" on major deal, Chelsea eye Real Madrid star, two potential Liverpool exits & more
Today's headlines, featuring mixed news for Manchester United fans and some major Arsenal updates...
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:
Don’t miss Stan Collymore’s latest exclusive CaughtOffside column on Isak, Madueke, Amorim and more!
Plus more from Arsenal, Liverpool & Tottenham
Arsenal
Tim Lewis has surprisingly left Arsenal. Richard Garlick will become the club’s new CEO and Josh Kroenke will have an increasingly prominent role, while Ben Winston joins alongside more appointments, including two from within KSE. (David Ornstein)
Real Madrid have made Arsenal centre-back William Saliba their top target in that position, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate viewed as a Plan B. (AS)
However, Arsenal remain in talks with Saliba and there’s a sense of “confidence” that they will be able to tie the French centre-back down to a new deal. (Football Insider)
Mikel Arteta on signing Noni Madueke: “I was sure he was a player with a talent and a level of threat and unpredictability that will make us better. When I picked up the phone to speak to him and his dad, I had the impression that they were really willing to come.” (Press conference)
Arteta on Gabriel Magalhaes vs Erling Haaland: “Well, Gabriel can get up to anybody in the world. He’s someone that really enjoys the defensive part, the contact, the physicality. When the game has to get to that part, he enjoys it. That’s a big quality to have.” (Press conference)
Arteta on Cristhian Mosquera: “He’s very good, credit to the scouting department and Andrea Berta. No concerns. He is extremely focused, very determined, very clear he wanted to come here. To come here to play and earn his place. He’s been impressive.”
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Barcelona
Marcus Rashford on his future: “I want to stay as long as possible at Barcelona. I have to focus on doing my job, helping the team in any way I can. I can feel the confidence that Flick has given me. I knew he was great before I signed, but working with him is a real pleasure.”
Barcelona director Deco: “The negotiations with Frenkie de Jong are ongoing, I believe we will reach an agreement. He is happy at Barcelona, and we are happy with him.” (Lance)
Meanwhile, reports in Spain claim that Frenkie de Jong has already received contacts from Manchester United and Bayern Munich as they explore signing him on a free transfer next summer. (Fichajes)
Chelsea
Eduardo Camavinga to Chelsea stories are 100% accurate! The Blues have the Real Madrid midfielder on their list of targets for 2026 amid uncertainty over his role under new manager Xabi Alonso. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Enzo Maresca has fired a warning to Alejandro Garnacho as he prepares to start Chelsea’s new winger against his former club Manchester United! Full story here.
Maresca: “I really appreciate Ruben Amorim. He’s a magnificent manager. Sometimes you can struggle a little bit more or less at the start of a project. I have no doubt he's a fantastic manager, I watched his games since in Sporting.” (Press conference)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi is closing in on a new contract with Inter Miami. It’s not a done deal yet but as of today it’s at an advanced stage, with a few points to clarify and MLS approval to all conditions to follow. The agreement should be sealed soon after talks accelerated in the last few weeks. (Fabrizio Romano)
Liverpool
Marc Guehi to Liverpool could be one to watch again in January as he’ll likely be available for a fee in the region of £40-50m. (Football Insider)
Ryan Gravenberch is emerging as a transfer target for Real Madrid as they seek to strengthen their midfield next summer. (Fichajes)
Manchester City
Mind games? Pep Guardiola paid a HUGE compliment to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta ahead of their meeting this weekend. Full story here.
Manchester United
Reports in Spain claim that Frenkie de Jong has already received contacts from Manchester United and Bayern Munich as they explore signing him when he becomes a free agent next summer. (Fichajes)
Ruben Amorim: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered me a new contract. He was offering me a new contract [laughs]. No, it was normal things, to show his support, explaining that it is a long project. He said many times this is my first season. For me it's not.” (Press conference)
Amorim when asked about Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea: “Garnacho is not our player, I’m focused on our players.”
Amorim has had a meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the expectation is that he must deliver European football this season in order to stay in the job at Manchester United. (talkSPORT)
Amorim is safe as Man United manager and is also expected to be backed with funds to target the likes of Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson in the January transfer window. (TEAMtalk)
Newcastle United
Newcastle are working hard to land Ross Wilson as their new sporting director, with Eddie Howe admitting he’s desperate for someone in that role to help him. (The Chronicle)
Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa: “Unfortunately we think he will be out until the next international break. He's sort of got a race on to be fit for that Brighton game. Hopefully he can make it.” (Press conference)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have made Arsenal centre-back William Saliba their top target in that position, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate viewed as a Plan B. (AS)
Ryan Gravenberch is another Liverpool player emerging as a transfer target for Real Madrid as they seek to strengthen in midfield next summer. (Fichajes)
Tottenham
Tottenham are looking at Morten Hjulmand from Sporting Lisbon as one of their top targets to strengthen in midfield this January. (Fichajes)
Wolves
Jorgen Strand Larsen is set to sign a new long term contract with Wolves - documents have been approved. His new deal will run until June 2030 plus the option of extending to June 2031, with the player’s salary raised and no release clause. (Fabrizio Romano)
Vitor Pereira on Strand Larsen: “He’s very important for us, and it is very, very good news for us. Jorgen has a strong character. He likes to be here… He wants to score more goals.” (Wolves official)