🚨✅ Plan confirmed for another Brighton star sale, plus could Arsenal star leave and are Man Utd already chasing an Onana replacement?
Today's football headlines all in one place, featuring Arsenal, Man Utd, Brighton and more.
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Erling Haaland facing punishment for his behaviour after the 3-3 draw vs Spurs
An update from Fabrizio Romano on two Arsenal players
Plus Chelsea, Newcastle, Real Madrid and more!
Arsenal
Arsenal’s talks with Ben White over a new contract are progressing well and will continue - more info from Fabrizio Romano in his column.
There’s not currently any truth to stories about this Arsenal player leaving - full details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Arsenal director Edu has won the award for best sporting director in 2023 - he paid tribute to Mikel Arteta, the Kroenkes and others in a post on Instagram.
Mikel Arteta: “I want Aaron Ramsdale with us. I am very happy to have 2 very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us. He’s willing to play. Like any player, he wants to play for Arsenal. That’s what he wants to do.”
Arsenal are reportedly being cautious in how they manage their training workload in order to avoid injuries disrupting their title run-in like last season.
Atlanta United
Thiago Almada: “I want to go to Europe now! Yes, now in this upcoming transfer window, I want to go now. I would like any top league, if I have to choose it’s Premier League or La Liga, but I would like any top league.”
Barcelona
Xavi: “Joao Felix staying or leaving in 2024? You should ask the board... I’m super happy with him. He’s top guy, nice and funny in the dressing room also. I like to have him with us. I see him happy here and very competitive. Also very well connected with Cancelo.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Victor Boniface invited his grandmother to watch him play and she was cheering him from the stands! [Pictures from Fabrizio Romano]
Benfica
Benfica are sealing the agreement to sign Argentinian top talent Gianluca Prestianni — here we go! The deal was verbally agreed in August with Velez for the 2006-born wonderkid — being signed for €8m fee plus €2m add-ons & 15% future sale. Prestianni will travel to Europe at the end of January when he turns 18.
Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi: “There is only one team who lost three important players last summer and it’s Brighton, but at the moment we are keeping the same level. Other teams didn’t sell anyone and they bought many players - Brighton sold three important players and we’re still at same level.”
Brighton could sell star names again next summer - more details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Chelsea
Chelsea are among the top European clubs to have been scouting FC Copenhagen talent Roony Bardghji. Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Barcelona have also been monitoring him and his contract being up in 2025 makes it an interesting opportunity.
More on Chelsea’s interest in Roony Bardghji in Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Hellas Verona
What a season we’re having for great goals, with Cyril Ngonge producing another memorable bicycle kick finish against Udinese! Was this better than Garnacho’s? FT Udinese 2-2 Hellas Verona [Pictures from Serie A/YouTube]
Inter Miami
Luis Suarez has said his goodbyes to Gremio fans... and he’s now set to sort out the final details of his contract in order to become a new Inter Miami player. Deal will be valid for one year, also considering an option for further season.
Inter Milan
What a clean strike this was by Hakan Calhanoglu as Inter Milan beat Napoli. FT Napoli 0-3 Inter [Pictures from Serie A/YouTube]
Manchester City
Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta on the release clause: “As for the clause, it’s a way for clubs to say: I decide. However, I believe that if we want a peaceful future, we have to face one another...”
Manchester United
Manchester United have been linked with AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
Nemanja Matic: “At Chelsea, players acted professionally, they were punctual and were never late for training but at United it happened almost every day.”
📰 Erik ten Hag is now battling to keep Man United players on-side after the defeat to Newcastle (ESPN)
Newcastle United
A huge blow for Newcastle as goalkeeper Nick Pope will undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder. He’s expected to be out for four months, returning in April 2024.
Could Newcastle now be set to sign David de Gea to replace Pope? Fabrizio Romano with the details here.
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham: “I’m proud to win the Golden Boy Award. My secret is the responsibility since I was a kid in the Academy. I love that. I wanna get better every day and help Real Madrid. My focus is on that. Real Madrid is the best team in the world. I am happy to have the opportunity to play here.”
Dani Carvajal has an injury to the soleus muscle in his left leg. He’s out of the rest of 2023. Carvajal will miss 3-4 weeks and he’s determined to return for the Spanish Super Cup.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United are set to sack Paul Heckingbottom as manager - it’s over and he will be the first Premier League sacking of the season. Chris Wilder is set to return to the Sheffield Utd bench.