🚨 NEW Champions League format, Arsenal thrash Sheffield Utd, Man Utd manager saga, major Barca sale, Davies Real Madrid latest, and more

Today's round-up, featuring next season's new-look Champions League format explained [Pictures from UEFA]

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:

AC Milan

  • Rafael Leao on links with Chelsea and PSG: “My future is very clear and it’s here at AC Milan. I’m under contract for the next four years, AC Milan helped me in difficult moments and I won’t forget that. I want to win again at Milan, my focus is here.”

Arsenal

  • What a goal this was by Ben White in last night’s thrashing of Sheffield United! Arsenal have now scored 31 goals in their last 7 Premier League games. Ft Sheffield Utd 0-6 Arsenal [Pictures from Sky Sports]

  • Arsenal made history with this result - no team in English football has ever done this before!

  • Arsenal’s William Saliba had more passes (169) than the entire Sheffield Utd team combined (142) last night. Mikel Arteta’s response: “Good! We’re trying to improve in every phase of play, the chemistry of the players and the desire of the players to improve in every area.”

  • Arsenal are being linked again with Victor Osimhen and their interest is genuine - more here from Fabrizio Romano.

Aston Villa

  • Aston Villa statement on club record post-tax operating loss of £119.6m for the 2022-23 season. “It’s important to note that these figures are in line with the strategic business plan and we continue to operate within the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability rules. The owners of Aston Villa remain committed to the long-term and sustainable development of the Club. We look forward to continued progress on the delivery of our strategic plan.”

Athletic Bilbao

  • Alvaro Djalo to Athletic Bilbao starting from July 1 - it’s now official. He’s joining the club in a €15m plus €5m deal.

Barcelona

  • Raphinha could be sold by Barcelona this summer, but where will he end up?

  • Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are expected to be out for more than one month after their injuries. De Jong has a lateral ligament sprain in his right ankle, while Pedri has a right quadriceps injury.

Bayern Munich

  • Is Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich future already in doubt? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.

  • What next for Thomas Tuchel if Bayern don’t get past Lazio in the Champions League tonight?

  • Real Madrid have a fee in mind for Alphonso Davies as they look to avoid paying ‘crazy’ money for him.

  • Matthijs de Ligt on his future: “I’m not thinking about that now. I’m very happy at Bayern Munich. Of course I haven’t had an easy season so far. I was injured for a long time. But at the moment I feel good and am fit, I want to play.”

  • Bayern director Max Eberl: “Bayern can’t sign superstars all the time. Now Harry Kane has proven his worth for Bayern, but we can’t make such transfers all the time. We want to build a team. And there are very, very good players who maybe don’t cost €80/100m.”

  • Feyenoord manager Arne Slot on Bayern job links: “I really can't answer that, but it's nice that I'm on a list!”

Chelsea

  • Victor Osimhen to Chelsea transfer interest is nothing new - more here from Fabrizio Romano’s column.

  • Could Chelsea and Milan both be going after the same manager this summer?

  • Give Michael Edwards the keys’ at Chelsea?

  • Mauricio Pochettino: “I think the performances have been very good, I’m so happy with the performances. If the fans want to listen, perfect. If not, what can I do? They’ll keep booing. But I’m giving my best to this team. Boo me, not the players. It’s fine.”

Fulham

Inter Milan

  • What a well-taken finish by Kristjan Asllani in Inter’s win last night. FT Inter 2-1 Genoa [Pictures from TNT Sports]

Juventus

Las Palmas

  • Las Palmas have now formally completed the agreement to sign Manu Fuster from Albacete. The fee will be around €1.5m for the permanent move.

Liverpool

Manchester City

Manchester United

  • Zinedine Zidane for Manchester United manager? Fabrizio Romano addresses the speculation.

  • Could Harry Kane really be heading back to the Premier League?

  • Casemiro on INEOS plans: “The new owners want to do ambitious plans. I hope that they arrive and grow together with us. It is important for the club to have people who want to grow here.”

  • 📰 A growing number of Man Utd players think Erik ten Hag will be replaced in the summer (Mail)

Osasuna

  • What a move and finish this was by Osasuna in their game last night! FT Osasuna 1-0 Alaves [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]

PSG

  • PSG and Victor Osimhen - what’s the latest? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.

  • Luis Enrique on getting used to play without Kylian Mbappe also in the Champions League after recent subs: “Maybe yes, maybe no. Who knows?”

  • Nuno Mendes is set to return as Luis Enrique confirms: “He could start tomorrow, but won’t play the whole game. He is a top-class player, it’s fantastic to have Nuno back — he’s great both offensively and defensively.”

Real Madrid

Tottenham

  • Tottenham midfielder Pierre Emile Hojbjerg has signed for USG Italy as new agency, represented by Luca Puccinelli. Hojbjerg is under contract at Spurs until June 2025.

Leave a comment