🚨 Pep Guardiola confirms Man City decision, Liverpool exit EXCLUSIVE, Michael Carrick named Man Utd manager, England's World Cup squad, Morgan Rogers transfer battle, & more
A round-up of a HUGE 24 hours in the transfer and managers market!
Good morning folks and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal
Arsenal are among the clubs in the race for Morgan Rogers, who can leave Aston Villa for a transfer fee of just £80m this summer. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea are also contenders for the 23-year-old’s signature. (Ben Jacobs)
Barcelona
Julian Alvarez is prioritising Barcelona over other options this summer as he looks set to leave Atletico Madrid. (Matteo Moretto)
Barcelona and Andreas Christensen have reached an agreement over a new two-year contract in a surprise development. (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona face competition from Real Madrid to sign Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who will cost €70m this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
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Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are emerging as contenders to appoint Andoni Iraola as manager once he leaves Bournemouth at the end of his contract this summer, though Crystal Palace are also still chasing this ambitious move. (Telegraph)
Bayern Munich
It is not true that there are doubts over Harry Kane signing a new Bayern Munich contract, as those talks have not started yet but all parties are relaxed about the situation. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
There is also no truth to Bayern Munich links with Manchester City defender John Stones as things stand. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Chelsea
Morgan Rogers can leave Aston Villa for just £80m this summer, sparking interest from Chelsea and other top clubs. (Ben Jacobs)
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign 21-year-old Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco from fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a target for Manchester City and there have been initial talks over this potential transfer deal. (Florian Plettenberg)
Liam Delap is unlikely to stay at Chelsea this summer once Xabi Alonso comes in as manager, with Everton tipped as his most likely next destination. (Football Insider)
Liverpool
Liverpool are not progressing in contract talks with Curtis Jones, who remains a target for Inter Milan, as well as for Tottenham and Aston Villa. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Liverpool chief Richard Hughes has made contact with those close to Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola over replacing Arne Slot at Anfield. (Foot Mercato)
Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign attacking midfield wonderkid Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional, beating Borussia Dortmund to the 17-year-old’s signature. He’ll complete his move to Anfield when he turns 18. (Fabrizio Romano)
Bayern Munich would reject a Liverpool bid for Michael Olise, even if the Reds were willing to pay as much as £147m for the French winger. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Yan Diomande is a dream target for Bayern Munich, but Liverpool could get a boost as the Bundesliga club’s current focus is on negotiations over signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Liverpool are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon winger Francisco Trincao, who has a €60m release clause. (Record)
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has officially confirmed he will be stepping down as Manchester City manager at the end of this season, with the club paying tribute by naming a stand at the Etihad Stadium after him and making plans to build a statue of him - full story here!
It was Guardiola’s decision to leave and he was eager to keep it a secret for as long as possible, having witnessed how Liverpool struggled after Jurgen Klopp announced his departure in the middle of the 2023/24 season. (Guillem Balague)
Real Madrid are ramping up their interest in signing Manchester City midfielder Rodri, whose future could be in doubt now that Pep Guardiola has confirmed he’s stepping down as manager. (Radio Marca)
Manchester United
Michael Carrick has been confirmed as taking the Manchester United manager’s job permanently, with director Jason Wilcox explaining why he was chosen - full story here!
Manchester United are expected to be one of the clubs in the mix for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who will be allowed to leave the club for just £80m this summer. (Ben Jacobs)
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have made checks on Osasuna winger Victor Munoz as a potential replacement for Bayern Munich target Anthony Gordon. (Daily Mirror)
Jonathan David could be leaving Juventus after just one season, with Newcastle among the Premier League clubs showing an interest in the Canada international. (TEAMtalk)
Newcastle have been scouting this 21-year-old Brazilian talent who has a €50m release clause - full story here!
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are ramping up their interest in signing Manchester City midfielder Rodri, whose future could be in doubt now that Pep Guardiola has confirmed he’s stepping down as manager. (Radio Marca)
Real Madrid will rival Barcelona for the signing of Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who will cost €70m this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Real Madrid have announced the departures of some experienced players - full story here!
Tottenham
Tottenham are one of the clubs ready to pounce if Curtis Jones ends up leaving Liverpool this summer, with the Reds no closer to agreeing a new contract with the England international. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)