🚨 NEW Rafael Leao links, what *really* happened with Antonio Nusa and Spurs, Chelsea striker links, plus goal videos from Liverpool & Man Utd wins
Today's essential football headlines all in one place.
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal wonderkid being tracked by Dortmund
Goal videos as Liverpool and Man Utd win
Plus more from Chelsea, Tottenham and PSG
Al Shabab
First part of medical tests for Ivan Rakitic as new Al Shabab player took place yesterday, then he will travel next week to Saudi to complete his move. The contract is all agreed, it’s just a matter of days.
Arsenal
Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi has been scouted by this top European club - more here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Some worrying reports on Mikel Arteta’s future from the Spanish press…
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have just submitted third bid to Middlesbrough for Morgan Rogers, understood to be in the region of £15m. Rogers remains the main target for Unai Emery. Negotiations are continuing in the right direction - Villa are trying to close the deal early this week.
Atletico Madrid
What a finish and an even better assist here as Atletico Madrid beat Valencia. FT Atletico Madrid 2-0 Valencia [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Moise Kean was at Metropolitano last night as he will complete medical tests as a new Atletico Madrid player on Monday.
AZ Alkmaar
Pascal Jansen has rejected some approaches — but many clubs are considering him for next season after decision to part ways with AZ. Jansen has most European matches and best points average in AZ history, also reached Conference League semi final last season.
Barcelona
Barcelona’s official bid for Lucas Bergvall is expected to be accepted next week! Final amount: €7m fixed fee plus €3m add-ons. Bergvall has been very clear, he wants to join Barca - the deal is set to be closed now but will be valid from July 1, 2024. Almost there.
“Would you like to return to Barca as manager one day?” Luis Enrique: “I’ve nothing to say about this — no comment.”
Is it really “impossible” for Pep Guardiola to return to Barcelona?
Barca may also look to La Liga for their Xavi replacement, according to Matteo Moretto…
Barcelona president Joan Laporta: “I accept this situation proposed by Xavi to leave the club in June. I approve that because he’s a Barca legend. I am convinced that the commitment of him and his staff until the end of the year will be maximum.”
Bayern Munich
Official, confirmed: Sacha Boey has joined Bayern Munich in permanent move from Galatasaray. “This is a dream come true for me. It’s an honour for me to get to play for such a big club like Bayern,” he said.
Kieran Trippier on Bayern’s interest: “It’s over. I’m committed to Newcastle, they’ve done a lot for me and I want to give back. I can only take Bayern interest as a compliment. Unsettling? No, I’m a professional. I’m experienced and try to block all the noise out.”
Brentford
Brentford have just reached an agreement with Club Brugge to sign Antonio Nusa. A deal is in place for fee in excess of €30m package. The player has also given the green light - he’s staying at Brugge until the end of the season and then joining Brentford in June.
How close were Tottenham to signing Antonio Nusa? Details here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Chelsea
Dallas FC
Dallas FC are set to sign Petar Musa from Benfica. A verbal agreement has been reached on a €10m deal plus €3m add-ons, permanent move for Musa to join MLS. A medical has been booked for early next week then time to sign.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray have revealed the fee and numbers of the Sacha Boey deal with Bayern - the fee is €30m guaranteed plus €5m add-ons, plus a percentage of any future sale. There’s also an agreement for two friendly games with 50% of the profits going to Galatasaray.
Guinea
What drama we had here as Guinea snatched a winner with the last move of the game! FT Guinea 1-0 Equatorial Guinea [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Juventus
Matias Soule has informed Al Ittihad that he’s rejecting their proposal. €30m to Juventus, huge salary to the player to move to Saudi…but Soule said no. Soule wants to stay in Europe, continue his career plan, best way also for his dream of Argentina’s call.
Liverpool
Diogo Jota scored with this powerful finish as Liverpool got past Norwich in the FA Cup [Pictures from beIN Sports]
Could Jurgen Klopp already be in line for this club next season?
Luton Town
Daiki Hashioka to Luton Town, here we go! An agreement has been reached to sign the Japanese full-back from Sint-Truiden. Hashioka will travel today for medical tests. The fee will be €2m - it’s a done deal despite Leeds and Trabzonspor interest.
Manchester City
Kyle Walker on Bayern Munich move: “Did I want to leave? No, of course not, I’m in the best team in the world. I was very close to moving. I was going to a big club, a huge club. But in the end, if I’m in Germany and I find myself alone... There’s pain and emotion right now but I can go home, take the kids to school and my little boy to soccer.”
Manchester United
Antony finally got a goal for Manchester United and it’s clear how much it meant! FT Newport 2-4 Manchester United [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Manchester United’s position on Marcus Rashford’s absence. “Rashford not well enough to be in the squad for Newport following illness; he has stayed at Carrington to train as he recovers.”
Erik ten Hag: “Rashford called in sick; the rest is an internal matter. I’ll take care of it. As I said before the match, it's an internal matter.”
New Man United CEO Omar Berrada: “You need a very solid rationale as to why you’re offering the fee, the salary and commission. Once you start overpaying, you lose that argument and that puts you in a much more difficult position for the next one.”
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on potential exits at Newcastle in the final days of the January transfer window: “There is a possibility someone could leave I made that clear. That hasn’t changed, we have to wait to see what happens.”
Newport County
What a stunning strike this was as Newport County made Man United work for their win! FT Newport 2-4 Manchester United [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Nottingham Forest
Jonathan Panzo will join Standard Liege on loan from Nottingham Forest. It’s a done deal, with a medical booked for today. The loan move includes a buy option clause not mandatory, he could leave Forest in June.
PSG
Superb play by Bradley Barcola and a fine finish by Marco Asensio here even if PSG were held to a draw by Brest last night. FT PSG 2-2 Brest [Pictures from TNT Sports]
PSG have been linked with one of the best attacking players in the world - could this be their Kylian Mbappe replacement?
“Would you like to return to Barca as manager one day?” Luis Enrique: “I’ve nothing to say about this — no comment.”
Real Betis
Saudi Pro League officials have made contact with Real Betis over a potential deal to sign Nabil Fekir in January. It’s early stages but discussions are taking place, also waiting to understand the player’s favourite solution.
Real Madrid
What’s going on with Nacho Fernandez’s Real Madrid future? Matteo Moretto has the details in his exclusive column here.
Roma
Angelino to AS Roma, here we go! The Spanish left-back is set to travel on Monday, with medical tests to follow this week. Roma will sign him on loan with a €6m buy option clause, not mandatory. RB Leipzig will also have a sell-on clause, while Galatasaray are prepared to let him go.
Sunderland
Sunderland consider Jack Clarke not for sale in the January transfer window. A formal proposal from Italy worth €16m package was rejected yesterday. His price in the summer is likely to be around €30m… but Sunderland plan to keep Clarke if they get promoted.
Tottenham
How close were Tottenham to signing Antonio Nusa? Details here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Valencia
Valencia have agreed a deal to sign Peter Gonzalez on loan with buy option from Real Madrid, confirms Raul. “The agreement is done, it’s time to sign the contracts on Monday.”
West Ham United
Ibrahim Osman wants the move to West Ham and he’s not creating any issue. Same for his agent, personal terms were agreed very fast. The issue remains Nordsjaelland after a bid in excess of €18m was rejected — they want more. The deal has not collapsed yet, Osman is insisting on a move to West Ham.
Pablo Fornals transfer decision may finally be edging closer…
Worried about these Arteta Barcelona stories...