🚨 Pochettino OUT, Man Utd next? Rashford dropped for Euros, Kroos announces retirement, Arsenal eye wonderkid CB, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Chelsea, Man Utd, City, Arsenal, and much more...
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:
Ask Me Anything! Fabrizio Romano will be taking YOUR questions in this week’s Debrief Podcast!
Reaction to Pochettino’s Chelsea exit and possible replacements
Rashford left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad
Plus Toni Kroos retires, and more from Arsenal, Liverpool & Spurs
AC Milan
Simon Kjaer leaves AC Milan, he’s available as a free agent after his chapter in Italy. “It’s been an honour to play for this club, I’m really proud. Thanks for everything, AC Milan.”
Arsenal
Antonio Silva to Arsenal? Some early talks have taken place but other clubs are in the mix as well…
Gareth Southgate on Ben White and England: “I didn’t speak to Ben White. As far as I am aware, he isn't available to us.”
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Aston Villa
Unai Emery is pushing to sign former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley after his fine form at Luton Town this season - his quality and experience are considered interesting for Aston Villa next season.
Atalanta
Atalanta keep monitoring Jordan James as a potential transfer target for the summer window. The Welsh midfielder is keen to move away and try new chapter after Birmingham City turned down approaches for James from the Italian club last year.
Barcelona
Xavi’s future is still being discussed internally at Barcelona - a meeting between president Laporta and the manager is expected to be crucial to decide on his future. Rafa Marquez and Hansi Flick remain both options on Barca’s list in case they decide to part ways with Xavi.
Barcelona’s talented young defender Hector Fort is set to sign a new deal at the club as expected. Despite interest from the Premier League, Fort shows his commitment and signs new contract at the club. It will be valid until June 2029.
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany has still not received any call from Chelsea despite links with the job. Kompany remains in contact with Bayern as revealed on Monday, talks took place and he’s keen on this chance. He’s waiting for Bayern to decide for their favourite option on the list.
Championship Play-Off final
Southampton and Leeds are set to do battle at Wembley as they bid to get back to the Premier League in the Championship play-off final on Sunday 26 May - check out CaughtOffside’s guide on how to get tickets to the Championship play-off final.
Champions League final
It’s the biggest game of the club season - on June 1st Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund as they look to win the Champions League for the 15th time! Check out CaughtOffside’s guide on how to get tickets to the Champions League final.
Chelsea
Official: Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea have parted ways with immediate effect. It had been a tense situation for some time but Chelsea players are surprised - full details in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Chelsea want a young coach to replace Pochettino, but what about more experienced names like Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick? All the latest info in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Pochettino: “Thank you to Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history. The Club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”
Pochettino is open to getting straight back into work. He has admirers at Manchester United and Bayern.
Vincent Kompany has still not received any call from Chelsea despite links with the job. Kompany remains in contact with Bayern as revealed on Monday, talks took place and he’s keen on this chance. He’s waiting for Bayern to decide for their favourite option on the list.
Nicolas Jackson does NOT seem happy with the decision to move on from Pochettino…
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal to sign Chadi Riad from Real Betis as new centre-back. A formal proposal has been sent for €12m plus €2m add-ons, deal being finalised between clubs. Riad has already said yes to the move - it will be ‘here we go’ soon.
England
The official England provisional squad for Euro 2024 has been confirmed - to be cut to 26 players in June. Rashford, Chilwell, Reece James, Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Nick Pope, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Levi Colwill among the big names to miss out.
Europa League final
Bayer Leverkusen are chasing an unbeaten treble season - can they do it when they take on Atalanta in the Europa League final tomorrow night? Check out CaughtOffside’s guide on how to get tickets to the Europa League final.
Euro 2024
Germany will host the Euros this summer in what promises to be a memorable tournament - check out CaughtOffside’s guide on how to get Euro 2024 tickets.
FA Cup final
In a repeat of last year’s final, it’s Manchester City against Manchester United for the big showdown game of the season at Wembley on Saturday 25th May. Check out CaughtOffside’s guide on how to get tickets to the FA Cup final.
Feyenoord
Feyenoord are showing interest in AC Milan defender Jan Carlo Simic, among talents they appreciate to strengthen CB position. AC Milan already had talks over new deal with Simic. Simic has been called up to the Serbia provisional squad after his Serie A debut with a goal scored.
Juventus
Juventus are confident to get the Thiago Motta deal done soon in order to appoint him as their new head coach. No negotiations currently ongoing between Juve and any other manager despite links; focus remains on Thiago Motta. Contract already on the table for weeks, up to Thiago.
Juventus had new contacts with Monza, talks ongoing for Italian goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Juve have already discussed personal terms with Di Gregorio but one of Szczesny and Perin should leave in the summer. Riccardo Calafiori and Di Gregorio remain among Juve’s top targets.
Liverpool
Darwin Nunez and Jurgen Klopp - was there an issue between the pair at the manager’s final Liverpool game?
How could Liverpool replace Mohamed Salah? They’ve been advised on how they could spend that £100m…
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Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has not yet discussed a new contract with Manchester City as he could be closer to leaving than staying in 2025 - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s latest column.
Ederson could leave Man City in the summer transfer window in case of good proposal, it’s a possibility. There’s already interest from Saudi Pro League clubs with Ederson considering possibilities at the end of the season. It will be up to the player.
Video Q&A - Ask me Anything (ASAP)!
Manchester United
Could Mauricio Pochettino be an option for Manchester United after leaving his job at Chelsea? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Youssouf Fofana to Manchester United? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the Monaco midfielder’s future in today’s column.
Gareth Southgate on Luke Shaw and England: “He is up against it. He missed a lot football. The fact he’s been our first choice in that position, we’re probably giving him a bit longer. I’ve spoke with him but I have to say he’s a long shot to make the final squad.”
Gareth Southgate on leaving out Marcus Rashford: “I just feel other players in that area of the pitch have had better seasons. That’s it.”
Marcus Rashford: “I’m wishing Gareth and the boys all the best for the up and coming tournament.”
Monaco
Youssouf Fofana transfer could be one to watch this summer after Monaco’s hint over his future - more details in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Monaco director Thiago Scuro: “We want to keep Maghnes Akliouche, it’s one of our priorities. One more season can also be good for his development with UCL football, I believe this… we want to keep him, but I don’t control everyone’s decisions.”
Nottingham Forest
Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wayne Hennessey are all set to leave Nottingham Forest upon the expiration of their contracts this summer.
Five players are also leaving Nottingham Forest after their loan spells come to an end, with Divock Origi returning to AC Milan, Nuno Tavares back to Arsenal, Giovani Reyna back to Borussia Dortmund, Rodrigo Ribeiro back to Sporting and Gonzalo Montiel back to Sevilla.
Willy Boly has signed a new one-year contract with Nottingham Forest with club option for second year, potentially valid until June 2026. Ola Aina’s option to extend contract until June 2025, also activated.
Portugal
Official Portugal squad for Euro 2024: Diogo Costa, Sa, Patricio. Antonio Silva, Danilo Pereira, Dalot, Inacio, Cancelo, Nelson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Pepe, Ruben Dias. Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, Palhinha, Otavio, Ruben Neves, Vitinha. Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Conceicao, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao.
PSG
Nothing has changed yet on the Xavi Simons situation. It’s the player who has to decide. Paris Saint-Germain do NOT want to sell him this summer… it’s about staying at PSG or (most likely) new loan until 2025. The player is expected to decide before the Euros.
RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic: “There’s interest from two Saudi clubs but no chance now, he’s not leaving Europe. PL and Serie A clubs want Sesko, yes… but also RB Leipzig are trying their best to keep him with very good proposal.”
Real Madrid
Toni Kroos has announced he is leaving Real Madrid and retiring from football right after Euro 2024.
Kroos letter to Real Madrid fans: “As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. July 17th, 2014 - the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer - but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone that welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one. At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship. I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own. My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez: “Toni Kroos is one of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid and that this club is and always will be his home.”
Kroos: “I am convinced that it is the correct decision. I wanted to end it in the best way possible and this season is one of the best I have played. My goal was to finish in the best way, this season has been one of my best. I want you to remember me as I am now.”
Luka Modric message to Toni Kroos after his retirement will tug at your heartstrings!
Stuttgart
Stuttgart director Wohlgemuth: “Deniz Undav has clearly communicated his desire to stay with us. Of course we want to retain his quality… so further talks will be held with Undav’s English club Brighton in a time manner.”
Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou wants to stay at Tottenham and could oversee a big summer of change in the transfer market - more details in Fabrizio Romano’s latest column.
Valencia
Stole Dimitrievski to Valencia, here we go! The Macedonian GK has signed four year deal, valid until June 2028. Mamardashvili, expected to leave with several clubs interested including Newcastle and Atletico Madrid.
West Ham United
Wesley Gassova to West Ham transfer could be one to watch, but there are others in the Premier League and around Europe who have shown an interest too.
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