🚨 Mudryk scores as Chelsea go through, Arsenal to sell star for the right price, Man Utd contacts over THREE strikers, surprise Liverpool deal, and more
Today's transfer news, injury updates and goal videos all in one place.
Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - all your essential football headlines in one place, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Man United have held talks with THREE strikers ahead of January
Liverpool have reportedly joined the race for Kalvin Phillips
Latest Chelsea transfer news and updates from win over Newcastle
Arsenal
Eddie Nketiah has admirers in England and Germany, but could he really leave Arsenal? Exclusive info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal could be set to miss out on this Brazilian talent - more info here.
Granit Xhaka: “Arsenal showed me little respect even though I was the captain. It was clear they wanted to get rid of me — apart from one person: Arteta. With my heart and soul, I had already left the club. Mikel told me he wanted me to stay.”
Atletico Madrid
Antoine Griezmann has made history as he’s the joint-first all time top scorer of Atletico Madrid! He has scored 173 goals — same as Luis Aragones. Club legend. FT Atletico Madrid 3-3 Getafe [Pictures from beIN Sports]
Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski’s agent Pini Zahavi: “Lewa’s future? He’s staying at Barcelona, of course.”
Girona have sent their scouts to follow Barcelona centre back Mikayil Faye five times in the recent months. The 2004-born highly rated CB is understood to be part of Barca’s plans for the future as they don’t want to sell him.
Joan Laporta on Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo future: “Their agent, Atletico and Man City already told us what’s gonna be needed to sign them. We want both Joaos to be permanent part of the team, not on loan. Let’s see how it evolves. I feel all parties will be happy at the end.”
Laporta on tribute to Lionel Messi: “We are open to doing it whenever he wants. Leo Messi deserves to be honoured in Barcelona. One game on loan for Messi to Barca from Inter Miami? There are many reports… but I believe that is not allowed even by FIFA.”
Bayern Munich
Thomas Muller has signed a new deal with Bayern until June 2025, confirms Uli Hoeness: “It's only a matter of days or hours until it's announced. I think it’s in the interests of the entire club for Thomas Muller to stay with us.”
Muller confirms: “I’m happy that my journey at Bayern is continuing. I want to do my part to ensure that we remain successful – as a team and as a whole club. I want to inspire our fans with goals, assists, my love for the game and hopefully with many more titles.”
Brazil
Neymar will be OUT of the Copa America 2024, confirms Brazil doctor Lasmar. “It’s too early, there’s no point skipping steps to recover. Our expectation is that he will be prepared to return at the start of the 2024 European calendar, which is August.”
Brentford
Brentford director Lee Dykes has confirmed they want an important bid to let Ivan Toney leave in January, saying: “There should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club. But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent … Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be. He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season - one of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he’s up there as one of the best strikers in the division. He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion.”
Chelsea
Mykhaylo Mudryk did well to grab this vital late goal for Chelsea against Newcastle. FT Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens) [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Mudryk after the game: “We are going in the right direction. We just have to trust in the process, manager and each other. We are building a really strong team. Sometimes to create something big you need time.”
Good news for Chelsea as Christopher Nkunku finally made his debut for the club after signing exactly one year ago and then joining last summer. A big moment for the player.
Mauricio Pochettino on Carabao Cup: “I don’t know which people are saying Mickey Mouse Cup... we are not feeling this way. It is a really good opportunity to win. I saw for more than ten years how clubs celebrate winning this cup. It is one of our objectives.”
Pochettino on Enzo Fernandez going off against Newcastle: “He felt sick. Before the game he didn’t feel so well. When he started to play, it didn’t go well. That’s why he asked to go out. We hope it's not a big thing.”
Trevoh Chalobah has been strongly linked with Tottenham and Roma, but what’s the latest on his future?
Chelsea could be stepping up their pursuit of Roony Bardghji.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Donny van de Beek is already in Frankfurt, and had medical tests as new Eintracht player on Tuesday. He’ll join on loan with a buy option, not mandatory, with the total package potentially costing €15m.
Genoa
Radu Dragusin will sign new deal at Genoa in the coming days, director Ottolini confirms: “He’s the next one to sign new deal until June 2028”. His salary will be improved — there’s no €30m release clause into current deal despite reports.
Dragusin has also been linked with Man Utd, Tottenham and others, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano has the details in his column here.
Girona
Girona have sent their scouts to follow Barcelona centre back Mikayil Faye five times in the recent months. The 2004-born highly rated CB is understood to be part of Barca’s plans for the future as they don’t want to sell him.
Manchester City
What a finish this was by Mateo Kovacic as Manchester City booked their place in the Club World Cup final. FT Man City 3-0 Urawa Reds [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Manchester United
Donny van de Beek is already in Frankfurt, and had medical tests as new Eintracht player on Tuesday. He’ll join on loan with a buy option, not mandatory, with the total package potentially costing €15m.
Meanwhile, Man Utd have held talks with representatives of three strikers - more info here from Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Could these big names be leaving United for Saudi? Fabrizio Romano provides an update here.
Newcastle United
Not great defending by Chelsea, but a good run and finish by Callum Wilson gave Newcastle the lead last night, even if they couldn’t hold on for the win. FT Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens) [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier following crucial penalty miss against Chelsea: “After giving us so much, it’s now our turn to support Kieran. He’s been a transformative signing for us and has glued the dressing room together. He’s been the heartbeat of our performances.”
Could Newcastle really risk losing Dan Ashworth? Fabrizio Romano has the full details here.
Nottingham Forest
Official: Nottingham Forest confirm the departure of head coach Steve Cooper. Former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be appointed as the club’s new manager.
PSG
PSG are set to meet with Corinthians again this week to discuss the Gabriel Moscardo deal - more details here from Fabrizio Romano.
Negotiations between Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo for Lucas Beraldo are progressing fast. Sao Paulo want more than €20m, current package is €25m add-ons. The 2003-born centre-back already said yes to PSG as potential destination.
Were Arsenal also in the race for Beraldo? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have opened talks to sign Eljif Elmas - a €25m bid has been submitted. Negotiations are now set to take place with Napoli as Elmas is open to a change and to try a new experience in 2024. It would be permanent transfer - the deal is on and advancing.
Real Madrid
David Alaba will undergo surgery later today, in the afternoon at 4pm. Real Madrid staff are closely monitoring David while he’s in Innsbruck.
Will Real Madrid sign cover for Alaba in January? Latest details in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Surely a no brainer to sell Nketiah if we can get £35m+, then help fund a move for Toney or another striker