🚨 Rabiot deal CLOSE, Rice bidding WAR, Liverpool rival Arsenal for wonderkid, Chelsea double sale, Kane update, and more
Today's Briefing, featuring the latest major stories at Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea and more!
Good morning guys and welcome to my latest Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy today’s post :-)
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
How close is Ruben Loftus-Cheek to joining AC Milan and which Chelsea teammate could join him there? More info here.
AC Milan will complete Marco Sportiello deal tomorrow with medical tests and contract signing. The goalkeeper will join on a free transfer from Atalanta.
AC Milan are closing in on the signing of Luka Romero. The final details are being discussed with his camp and then the Argentinian talent will join Milan on a long term deal. Romero will not be signing a new contract at Lazio and will join Milan as a free agent.
Al Ahli
Roberto Firmino’s transfer to the Saudi club is very advanced - more on that here.
Al Nassr
Final contracts checked, deal closed for Hakim Ziyech set to join Al Nassr. It’s all agreed with Chelsea since last week and also on player side. He’ll sign a contract until June 2026, it’s now just matter of completing his medical tests and then it will be official. Here we go confirmed.
Al Nassr are still waiting for Marcelo Brozovic to give the green light to their proposal to make his transfer to Saudi happen. A deal has been in place with Inter for €22/23m since Sunday. There are no issues between the two clubs, so it only depends on Brozovic now.
💬 Who will be the next big signing by a Saudi club? Do you want YOUR club to cash in on this opportunity to get a big fee for an unwanted player?
Arsenal
Arsenal will bid again for Declan Rice, but what about Romeo Lavia and how close was Ilkay Gundogan? Full details here.
Arsenal are also continuing to work on the Jurrien Timber deal and they’re increasingly confident - more exclusive info here.
📰 Arsenal are considering Youssouf Fofana as another potential midfield target (L’Equipe)
Barcelona
Ilkay Gundogan has officially been announced by Barcelona - more on why he chose them over Arsenal and Saudi clubs here.
Arnau Tenas leaves Barcelona as a free agent, Spanish GK confirms: “Yes, I am leaving Barcelona. The club has decided not to execute my renewal option. I can confirm that, it’s over.”
Bayern Munich
Harry Kane is being linked with Bayern again - my latest info here.
Both Bayern and Manchester City are insisting on Kyle Walker deal. Bayern are pushing to sign Walker as a new right-back, Man City offered him new contract last week and keep insisting to get the green light. The decision is now with the player, and is expected soon.
Paris Saint-Germain are close to signing Lucas Hernandez. Talks are progressing to the final stages between clubs, with an agreement almost struck with Bayern. Final details will be discussed soon then completed. Personal terms agreement, 100% done and sealed. Lucas wants PSG.
Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach are set to sign Italian centre back Fabio Chiarodia rated as one of the best young CBs in Europe. Here we go, done deal. Deal almost done — Chiarodia leaves Werder, he was wanted from Italian and English top clubs, also BVB asked for him.
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Brentford
Official, confirmed. Brentford sign Ji-soo Kim on a permanent deal — the talented 18-year-old centre back joins on a four year contract with the option of a further year.
Chelsea
How close is Ruben Loftus-Cheek to joining AC Milan and which Chelsea teammate could join him there? More info here.
It is my understanding that Chelsea’s final green light to Cesar Azpilicueta contract termination is expected soon. It’s a work in progress. Azpilicueta has agreed a two-year deal at Inter, with a verbal agreement in place since last week.
Mason Mount’s message to Chelsea is clear - more on that here.
Crystal Palace
What’s the latest on Wilfried Zaha’s future? My update here.
Inter Milan
Marcus Thuram is expected in Milano this week in order to undergo medical tests and sign five year deal as Inter player — it will happen tomorrow. Free transfer almost completed, deal set to be signed.
It is my understanding that Chelsea’s final green light to Cesar Azpilicueta contract termination is expected soon. It’s a work in progress. Azpilicueta has agreed a two-year deal at Inter, with a verbal agreement in place since last week.
Juventus
Juventus are now finalising details of the agreement for Timothy Weah deal with Lille. Personal terms agreement, already sealed. Juve hope to get medical tests and also contract signing done by the end of the week.
Adrien Rabiot is close to a final decision on his future - full details here.
Lazio
What’s the latest on Wilfried Zaha to Lazio? My update here.
AC Milan are closing in on the signing of Luka Romero. The final details are being discussed with his camp and then the Argentinian talent will join Milan on a long term deal. Romero will not be signing a new contract at Lazio and will join Milan as a free agent.
Liverpool
Liverpool have joined the race for this Arsenal target - full details here.
Manchester City
Manchester City have made a bid for Declan Rice - more info here.
Mateo Kovacic contract at Manchester City will be valid until June 2027. Already completed medical tests last week. Man City will pay £25m plus £5m add ons to Chelsea.
Josko Gvardiol next for City? More on that here.
Both Bayern and Manchester City are insisting on Kyle Walker deal. Bayern are pushing to sign Walker as a new right-back, Man City offered him new contract last week and keep insisting to get the green light. The decision is now with the player, and is expected soon.
💬 If City get all three of Kovacic, Gvardiol and Rice this summer - is that the title race already done for next season?
Manchester United
Manchester United are now set to sign English talented full-back Harry Amass, deal done. He is set to join from Watford on a four-year deal, it will be signed and completed this week.
Adrien Rabiot’s future is almost resolved following Man Utd contact - full details here.
Man Utd remain the favourites for Mason Mount - more exclusive info here.
Newcastle United
Newcastle have opened concrete talks to sign Tino Livramento. Discussions are ongoing over signing the Southampton right-back for a fee of around £12m.
PSG
Xavi Simons has still not made a final decision on his future despite reports of him turning down PSG. He’ll get more details on the PSG project then decide; PSV Eindhoven hope to get him to sign a new deal. PSG’s buy back clause is worth €6m, but it’s down to the player.
Paris Saint-Germain are close to signing Lucas Hernandez. Talks are progressing to the final stages between clubs, with an agreement almost struck with Bayern. Final details will be discussed soon then completed. Personal terms agreement, 100% done and sealed. Lucas wants PSG.
Real Madrid
Official, confirmed: Luka Modric stays at Real Madrid! He’s signed a new deal until June 2024. The veteran Croatian midfield maestro received one of the biggest proposals in football from Saudi, but respectfully turned them down in order to keep fighting for titles with the club of his life Real Madrid.
Tottenham
What’s the latest on Harry Kane’s future? My info here.
Romain Mundle is set to join Standard Liege after deciding to leave Tottenham. Here we go. Spurs will get compensation, while he’s set to sign a four-year deal with his new club.
Guglielmo Vicario is in London right now to complete medicals as a Tottenham new signing. The deal will be announced this week.
📰 Spurs are preparing a £40m bid for James Maddison but Leicester want £60m (Telegraph)
Valencia
Valencia are open to selling Yunus Musah this summer after they turned down all approaches back in January, including a verbal bid from Chelsea. I understand a €20m fee could now be enough to sign USMNT midfielder. AC Milan have included Musah in their list.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Xavi Simons could’ve been sooo good, but has been poorly advised by agents.