🚨 More HISTORY for Lamine Yamal, Lerma's STUNNER, Bailey and Take's long-term deals, Morata update, what next for Kroos and more

Feb 13, 2024

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Today’s top stories:

William Troost-Ekong, voted as AFCON best player after playing every minute of every game and scoring 4 goals. There’s a concrete possibility to move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer as interest is real and strong, as revealed last week.

Arsenal could be set to beat Man United and Liverpool to a major signing. Who? Jonathan Johnson delves into it.
£60m Arsenal transfer target has been tipped to join Chelsea in the summer [Robbie Mustoe]

Aston Villa confirm Boubacar Kamara has suffered a significant knee ligament injury. “Kamara’s condition will be reviewed ahead of a further consultation with a knee specialist,” the club reports.
Aston Villa fear Douglas Luiz could join Arsenal if one thing happens [HITC]
Leon Bailey’s new deal at Aston Villa will be valid until June 2027 with an option until June 2028. Here is Bailey after signing with Unai Emery and Damian Vidagany:

Diego Simeone goes in hard on Spanish football authorities [Cadena Ser]
Atlético Madrid confirms that Álvaro Morata suffered a bone contusion and a sprain of the internal lateral ligament of his right knee. No ACL injury for the Spanish striker, the best news after Sunday’s initial fear.
Atlético Madrid expect Álvaro Morata to be back in almost 20 days if all goes to plan. Club and staff hope for Álvaro to be available in the second leg vs Inter at the Metropolitano.
Morata: “Thank God, my knee injury is not serious. Thanks a lot for the nice messages. I also hope that people who send so many hate messages can have just as much desire to be happy and work hard. I’ll be at my best again soon.

Barcelona defender unlikely to return for Champions League clash [MARCA]
Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score a brace in La Liga history. He's also the youngest player to reach +10 G/A contributions at 16 years and 213 days.

Matthijs de Ligt’s situation remains one to watch for the summer transfer window. Dutch defender didn't start for Bayern vs Leverkusen and was asked about his physical condition: "Fit enough to start? Top fit," he said.

The new Champions League ball, which will be used in this year’s final at Wembley, has been revealed.

Another win for Chelsea, this time at Selhurst Park, coming from behind to win 3-1 thanks to a Conor Gallagher double and this cheeky effort from Enzo Fernández [pictures from beIN Sports].

Enzo Fernández: “I’m happy here at Chelsea, we want to play the next Champions League. I don't know where the leaving rumours came from. I came out to totally deny that story, it’s fake.”
Conor Gallagher: “I’ve played in a number of positions this season. I am happy to play anywhere for the manager. I am happy wherever I play. No problem. The manager told us to stay calm at half time and we made it.”
Pochettino: “I don't care about the rumours. I don't care about the tension. I don't care about the pressure. I don't care about the stresses. We know really well the reality and we are going to keep working.”
Chelsea’s unequivocal stance on Mudryk revealed [Fabrizio Romano]
Madrid interest remains in potential world class Chelsea target says Romano
Si Phillips discusses where Chelsea need to strengthen this summer
Pape Daouda Diong is already training with Chelsea at Cobham. Senegal U17 midfielder joined the club in December. Decision on a potential loan to Strasbourg will be made in the next months.

Jefferson Lerma scored a stunning first-ever goal for Crystal Palace in their match against Chelsea, but it was in vain as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners [pictures from Sky Sports].

Sebastien Haller rejected a potential loan move to Fulham in the final week of January. Fulham approached BVB for talks but Haller didn't want to move. No distractions during AFCON and no plans to leave Dortmund mid-season.
Marco Silva on Broja not starting for the second, consecutive game: "I had a conversation with Armando. We believe in him. He knows that when you are in the Premier League, there is competition. He arrived a day before the Burnley game and Muniz scored an important goal."

Inter ultras contribute to Kanye West album [Calciomercato]
Inter have now booked medical tests for Mehdi Taremi to join as a free agent in June, here we go! Verbal agreement with Taremi in place for a month, deal valid until June 2026 including an option to get it extended for one more year.
Piotr Zielinski to Inter, here we go! Long term contract set to be signed in the next days after verbal agreement was completed weeks ago. Medical tests already done. Zielinski will join in July as well as Mehdi Taremi — who’s expected to undergo his medical soon.

Club could present world record offer to sign Liverpool star in summer [Fichajes]
Jurgen Klopp to Ligue Un? It’s not as far-fetched as you think. Jonathan Johnson has more.

Out of favour Bundesliga ace has good connection with ten Hag [Fabrizio Romano]
Man Utd in pole position to sign 24-year-old defender on Arsenal radar [Football Transfers]

Jonathan Johnson on why Newcastle United should be concerned about losing one of their best players this summer.
Newcastle ace is 100% focused on the club but PSG are on the hunt [Fabrizio Romano]

Are we any closer to knowing what Kylian Mbappé’s intentions are from next season onwards? Our man in France, Jonathan Johnson has an exclusive deep dive into what will be the transfer saga of the summer.

Germán Pezzella has signed a new deal at Real Betis valid until June 2026, done and sealed. The Argentine CB is staying at the club.

Toni Kroos on his contract expiring in June: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m thinking about it, no decision has been made. I’m just happy to see that a lot of people want me to continue. I should also decide soon about returning with the German national team, I don’t know yet. I will decide at right moment but my plan has always been to retire at a very high level.”
Toni Kroos: “Let me clarify that I will NOT return to Bayern despite links, it’s not going to happen. I’m always proud when there are links or some manager wants me, but this is not happening.”

Ancelotti on Kroos: “It’s not about titles or money. Toni Kroos just loves playing football. Retirement or signing a new deal? We have to respect whatever Toni Kroos will decide. My idea is a player has to retire at the highest level.”
Real Madrid duo will decide their own futures [Fabrizio Romano]

Take Kubo signs a new long term deal at Real Sociedad valid until June 2029. Crucial move for the club as Kubo was already attracting interest for the summer, new contract sealed.

Bad news again for Daryl Dike. It's a ruptured Achilles, the second he has suffered in under a year. Dike will miss the majority of the remainder of 2024, expected to be back in 2025.