🚨 Pep lauds Foden, Moyes' West Ham demand, Son returns, Klopp's IFAB exasperation, Arteta is enjoying Arsenal's celebrations and more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Tottenham and more!
Good morning everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Milan are taking steps towards leaving San Siro after documents confirmed that land has been purchased to build a new stadium in San Donato [Sempre Milan].
Milan are one of three Italian clubs that want Serie A reduced to 18 teams [ANSA]
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta when asked about the clause to extend Jorginho’s contract for one more year. “I’m really happy with him that’s all I can say, the contract is for Edu and the board to manage. His implication and the capacity he has in big matches to effect the game is tremendous.”
Arteta spoke about the criticism that his players received in the wake of their celebrations at the end of the Liverpool match, and doesn’t see the problem [pictures from Sky Sports].
Arsenal winger set to return to Brazil [HITC Football].
Takehiro Tomiyasu will officially sign his new deal at Arsenal soon. The agreement is done and 100% sealed as revealed days ago. Formal steps to follow but he's back after the Asian Cup and ready to sign the contract.
Asian Cup Final
The Asian Cup reaches its conclusion this afternoon. Who do you think will win, Jordan or Qatar?
Bahia
Bahia have completed a deal for Oscar Estupinan. Exclusive story confirmed.
Barcelona
The Catalan club will have to sell an important star this summer because of FFP and it could be either Frenkie de Jong or Ronaldo Araujo [Matteo Moretto].
Barcelona have been linked with three Italian managers to take over from Xavi. Find out who in a Matteo Moretto exclusive.
Why is Hansi Flick the front runner for the Barça managers job? Christian Falk has more.
Xabi Alonso highlights Barcelona target as first potential signing for Liverpool [Football Transfers]
Besiktas
Besiktas are in concrete talks to sign Al-Musrati from Braga. Personal terms already being discussed with the player. Negotiations to follow.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth and Leeds United have signed all formal documents to make the Luis Sinisterra deal permanent. Official and completed. Fee will be £20m for the Colombian winger.
Chelsea
Pochettino: “I’m very happy with Enzo and Conor Gallagher. So happy because they deserve to feel this way, happy, enjoy playing football. These two work so hard to try to perform. I am so pleased with their performances.”
Could Roméo Lavia return from injury for the Carabao Cup final? Pochettino: “Impossible.”
Pochettino: "The problem at Chelsea is not that the players are so young. The problem is that the team is young. With 16 or 17 players that have arrived new from the beginning of the season, you need time to build a team."
Pochettino on Thiago Silva: “All the players are in the same position as him. We always assess and then we take the decision. He is not different from the others. I don’t look at the passport or the age of the player.
Si Phillips discusses whether this week has been a turning point for Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea.
Ian Maatsen gives a second assist in five Bundesliga games since he joined Borussia Dortmund in January. £35m release clause included into his contract at Chelsea, valid from July.
Feyenoord
Feyenoord are still working on the Luciano Rodriguez deal with negotiations ongoing in South America. Feyenoord want to sign him now, but then have him join in the summer. Liverpool Montevideo and the player’s camp are well aligned on the next steps.
Fluminense
Fluminense are preparing formal documents for the Marquinhos deal to be completed with Arsenal. Loan move agreed and also confirmed by Flu manager Diniz.
Frosinone
Frosinone director Angelozzi: “Clubs from England, France and Spain are in attendance on a regular basis to keep a close eye on Matias Soulé. I think he can be part of the Juventus squad, he’s very talented. He rejected a huge proposal from Saudi in January.”
Greuther Fürth
German striker Armindo Sieb received approaches from Bundesliga and Serie A clubs in January. He's going to be one to watch in the summer with one year left on his contract. Sieb has scored three in three games since the break and nine goals in total this season.
Liverpool
It’s safe to say that Jurgen Klopp isn’t a fan of the idea that blue cards will be introduced into the game [pictures from Hayters].
Liverpool talent Kieran Morrison is set to sign a new three year deal at the club despite being linked with a move away last summer. The midfielder has verbally agreed to a new contract, and it will soon be time to review documents and then announce everything.
One Bayern Munich player is aware of Liverpool’s interest should they sell Mo Salah to the Saudi Pro League. Christian Falk takes a deep dive into the rumours.
Kylian Mbappé wanted to work with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Find out exactly why that was with another incredible Christian Falk exclusive.
Inside Jordan Henderson’s Al Ettifaq exit [Ben Jacobs]
Fabrizio Romano has a definitive update on Thiago’s next move, that will put any further rumours to bed.
Manchester City
Man City midfielder determined to create history this season [Liverpool ECHO]
Ahead of their match against Everton, Man City manager, Pep Guardiola, lauded Phil Foden, who he believes can still improve his performances if he wants too [pictures from Sky Sports].
Manchester United
Dortmund want to keep Jadon Sancho permanently, but there could be a major stumbling block. Find out what that is as Christian Falk delves deep into the detail.
Donny van de Beek’s permanent move to Eintracht Frankfurt could also be scuppered if he doesn’t take a pay cut [Christian Falk]
Find out what Man United have done about Kobbie Mainoo’s contract situation with an exclusive Fabrizio Romano deep dive.
Former Man United manager speaks about the Marcus Rashford situation [Reuters]
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag on Alejandro Garnacho's ability to find spaces on the pitch [pictures from Sky Sports].
Newcastle United
Premier League confirm that two Newcastle players have been dropped from their 25-man squad [Sport Bible]
Eddie Howe lauded Tino Livramento in his pre-match press conference for the Nottingham Forest game, suggesting the young right-back was “outstanding” and “incredible” [pictures from Sky Sports].
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti when asked whether Toni Kroos could retire in four months. “I think that if Toni does it he has character, he has balls. His mother says he should renew and stay? Always respect what the old generation says.”
Ancelotti on whether he saw the foul on Mbappe in PSG’s most recent game: “No, I didn't see what happened to him. I was only watching the Copa del Rey.”
Ancelotti: “Miguel Gutierrez has improved a lot at Girona. He's playing very well — so we will decide in summer what to do.” Real Madrid can bring him back for €8m in June 2024.
Miguel Gutierrez is prioritising a return to Real Madrid but it depends on Alphonso Davies [Matteo Moretto].
PSG’s mammoth offer to keep Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid’s clutches [AS]
Saudi Pro League
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has caught the eye of clubs in Saudi due to his impressive performances at AFCON. He’s been leading PAOK to the top of Greek Super League and Europa Conference League, and he’s very happy there — but the Saudi interest this summer will be strong.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs urged to open contract talks with ‘top-quality’ star who Real Madrid will want [Stan Collymore].
Ange Postecoglou couldn’t speak highly enough of his captain, Son Heung-min, who has made himself available for the Brighton match on Saturday despite only just returning from international duty with South Korea [pictures from Hayters].
West Ham United
What does the future hold for West Ham-linked Albert Gudmundsson? Matteo Moretto has more.
West Ham man puts BBC presenter in his place after recent comment [Five Live]
Fabrizio Romano has more on the rumours surrounding Tim Steidten and how much his leaving West Ham would impact the club.
Ahead of their match against Arsenal, West Ham manager, David Moyes, spoke about his team still needing to work hard this season, though he was happy with how they’ve performed against the top clubs in 2023/24 [pictures from Hayters].