🚨 Marcus Rashford future DOUBT, big name rejects Liverpool approach, PSG star being offered to clubs, Chelsea exits, Arsenal wonderkid links & more
Today's headlines, featuring Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and much more!
Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Al Ahli
Merih Demiral won’t leave Al Ahli in the final days of the January transfer window. He was never close to leaving as Saudi Pro League bosses have no plans to lose their stars.
Al Ettifaq
Two signings on Saudi Pro League Deadline Day for Steven Gerrard as Seko Fofana completed his loan move to Al Ettifaq. Ettifaq also sign Karl Toko Ekambi, both deals are done.
Al Shabab
Ivan Rakitic has signed his contract termination at Sevilla today as he’s set to join Al Shabab. Medical tests already completed. Rakitic - one more big name leaving Europe and joining the Saudi Pro League.
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus scored the opener and later turned provider here for Bukayo Saka as Arsenal earned an important win away to Nottingham Forest. FT Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal [Pictures from TNT Sports]
WATCH this dramatic moment at the end of the Arsenal game! Is all well inside the Gunners camp?
Could Amario Cozier-Duberry be on his way out of Arsenal to a Premier League rival? Latest details here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Hertha Berlin have agreed a permanent deal to sign Bradley Ibrahim from Arsenal. He’ll sign a contract until 2027, Arsenal will have matching rights, and a healthy sell-on clause and add-ons for appearances.
Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers to Aston Villa - here we go! A verbal agreement is in place and he’ll have his medical with Villa today. The signing is imminent and Manchester City will get 25% of the deal as a sell-on clause was included in the agreement with Middlesbrough.
Unai Emery has confirmed Morgan Rogers is joining Aston Villa. “We expect Morgan to join in the next 24 hours. He’s young and talented, he fits our style.”
Atletico Madrid
Moise Kean has travelled back to Italy after a deal collapsed with Atletico Madrid. The player has also been informed of Atleti deciding to leave the negotiations after an issue during medical tests.
Atletico Madrid are considering move for Gabriel Paulista as he’s set to leave Valencia. Discussions have taken place to be informed on conditions of the deal. Trevoh Chalobah was also discussed one of the options but he’s currently considered expensive.
Barcelona
Lucas Bergvall and his family will meet again with Barcelona today in order to complete the agreement after positive contacts on Tuesday. Deco wants Bergvall to agree on every detail and get the deal done before the midfielder goes back to Sweden.
Xavi reveals: “The decision on my resignation has been made for a long time, our work is not valued enough. Honestly, I had decided to leave from the beginning of the season.”
Bayern Munich
Granada have asked Bayern to make formal bid to anticipate Bryan Zaragoza deal in January. There’s NO re-call clause in the deal - Bryan’s contract only valid from July 1, 2024. The clubs are negotiating to find an agreement and let Bryan join Bayern now, while the player has already agreed.
A medical took place yesterday for Jonah Kusi-Asare as new FC Bayern player after €6.5m package deal agreed with AIK. Swedish talent will sign the contract later today and join Bayern with immediate effect.
Bournemouth
Romain Faivre back to Bournemouth as club decides to give one more option to Andoni Iraola. This follows decision to accept loan move for David Brooks to Southampton as Bournemouth wanted to keep him but David insisted for loan. Faivre leaves Lorient and re-joins Bournemouth.
Burnley
Maxime Esteve to Burnley, here we go! Agreement sealed with Montpellier and medical tests booked on Wednesday. Burnley will pay €12m plus €2m add-ons and also 15% sell-on clause.
Chelsea
Chelsea have rejected a formal approach from Wolves for Armando Broja. Wolves have asked for Broja on loan but Chelsea have no intention to proceed at current conditions.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been discussed as an option for Atletico Madrid to strengthen at the back, but he’s currently considered too expensive.
More details here on three names to watch for Chelsea as we near the transfer deadline…
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have completed Daniel Munoz deal from Genk, signed and sealed. Deal runs until 2027 with an option for a further year.
Adam Wharton is in London ready to complete medical as a new Crystal Palace player in the next 24 hours. A £22m deal has been agreed with Blackburn and this top talent is set to join Palace.
Juventus
Carlos Alcaraz will become a new Juventus player today. All parties are working on it, the player’s agent is also in UK to get the deal sealed. It’ll be an initial loan with an expected buy option of more than €40m.
Lille
Jonathan David won’t be leaving Lille in the final days of the January transfer window. Lille want to keep their best players in January despite interest from England, Spain, Italy - David is staying. He’ll be one to watch in the summer as his current deal expires in June 2025.
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk: “Let’s make it clear. I am 100% committed to the club, I love the fans. It is fully taken out if context. It’s not about me, it’s about us. Five days ago we weren’t even talking about my contract, so it’s a bit silly!”
Jurgen Klopp on Virgil van Dijk comments and the contract situation at Liverpool: “I’d recommend everybody to stay calm. Nobody has to worry, I’m 100% sure. There’s enough time to everything. These players love to be here at Liverpool, don’t forget that.”
Luton Town
Done deal, official: Daiki Hashioka has joined Luton Town from Sint-Truiden on a contract valid until June 2027.
Mallorca
Mallorca have agreed a deal to sign Nemanja Radonjic from Torino, it’s all set to be completed. Other clubs were also interested as he looked to leave Torino this January.
Manchester City
Watford have approached Man City in recent days to sign Micah Hamilton on loan. Two more Championship clubs have also asked for a loan this month but City have no plans to let Hamilton leave. However, Man City want Hamilton to stay with their first-team.
Pep Guardiola on his City future: “We can admit eight years is a lot of time, next season will be nine…I have to see the players, how is the behaviour, our standards, can we keep it, do the players follow you, am I tired or not, many things are involved... but I’m ok!”
Erling Haaland is back with Man City squad and set to be selected as announced by Pep Guardiola.
Manchester United
Could Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future now be in doubt? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column here.
More shocking details have emerged from Rashford’s night out in Belfast!
Amad Diallo has not asked Man United to leave the club - he’s happy to stay, Man United want him to be part of the squad. Erik ten Hag has also been clear with Amad on his role for present and future.
More here from Fabrizio Romano on Amad Diallo and also a look at Alejandro Garnacho exit rumours…
Facundo Pellistri to Granada, here we go! Green light from Manchester United was given yesterday evening. Granada will sign Pellistri on loan deal until June, medical tests are booked. Pellistri will travel to Granada on Wednesday morning to complete medical and sign his contract.
Newcastle United
Fabian Schar scored as Newcastle earned a surprising and impressive win away to Aston Villa. FT Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Alexander Isak went off injured in yesterday’s game, bad news for Newcastle - there are no fit strikers available for Eddie Howe now.
Eddie Howe on business for the final 48h of transfer window. “I expect to be finished for the window. Isak’s injury won’t change things, I think. There’s very little time to do anything - in or out. I expect Miguel Almiron to stay at the club now.”
Norwich City
Norwich have agreed a deal to sign Sydney van Hooijdonk on loan until the end of the season from Bologna, with a buy option clause. The Dutch striker will complete medical tests and sign his contract on Wednesday.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are still working to sign a new goalkeeper in the final days of the transfer window, as revealed last week. They are looking into options in that position.
PSG
Paris Saint-Germain are actively working to loan out Hugo Ekitike in the final 48 hours of the transfer window. Contacts have been taking place to find the best solution.
Marco Asensio’s camp and Paris Saint-Germain are on the same page: no negotiations and no plans to leave the club in the final two days. He’s staying, PSG want him to be part of the squad for the second half of the season.
Real Betis
Nabil Fekir won’t join Saudi Pro League as no concrete proposal was sent to Real Betis. SPL approaches over potential move were never concrete in terms of bids or negotiations.
Roma
AS Roma have signed Angelino on loan - the buy option clause value is €5m. There’s also a sell-on clause included in the deal with RB Leipzig.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Georgiy Sudakov has agreed a new long term deal at Shakhtar Donetsk! An agreement has been reached. The new deal will be valid until June 2029. It will include release clause worth more than €100m. He’ll be one to watch in the summer, as he’s a top talent on the list of many clubs.
South Africa
A sublime free-kick in a famous win for South Africa last night! FT South Africa 2-0 Morocco [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Sunderland
Sunderland have agreed a deal for the permanent transfer of Romaine Mundle from Standard Liege. The former Tottenham midfielder returns to England as he’s joining Sunderland.
Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou on new outgoings or incomings for Spurs: “Unlikely on both fronts, without ruling anything out. I don’t see any incomings. Outgoings is a little bit different as I’m not really engaged with that. Unlikely on both fronts, without ruling anything out.”
Watford
Watford have approached Man City in recent days to sign Micah Hamilton on loan. Two more Championship clubs have also asked for a loan this month but City have no plans to let Hamilton leave. However, Man City want Hamilton to stay with their first-team.
West Ham United
West Ham are still trying to find a way for Jota deal with Al Ittihad. Negotiations remain complicated due to salary and taxes reason but talks took place again on Monday. West Ham remain in talks with Textor Group for Said Benrahma to join Olympique Lyon in the final days.
Wolves
Chelsea have rejected a formal approach from Wolves for Armando Broja. Wolves have asked for Broja on loan but Chelsea have no intention to proceed at current conditions.