🚨 Saka fires Arsenal into UCL final, Liverpool boss Slot eyed by Euro giants, Arsenal & Barca battle for Bournemouth star, surprise new Chelsea manager candidate, & more
Today's transfer headlines and UCL reaction
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Bukayo Saka fires Arsenal into Champions League final
Arsenal are through to their first Champions League final in 20 years after a hard-fought win over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka fired in from close range for what proved to be the winner, with the Gunners again generally the better of the two sides, as they were for much of the first leg in Madrid last week, which finished 1-1.
Gabriel Magalhaes had to make an incredible last-ditch challenge to prevent an equaliser, while Viktor Gyokeres missed a great chance to kill the game and cap what was an otherwise superb performance up front.
The Emirates Stadium erupted at full time as Arsenal now prepare to take on either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on 30th May.
FT Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid (2-1 on aggregate) [Pictures from Prime Video Sport]
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Arsenal
Arsenal and Liverpool could battle it out for the potential big-money transfer of Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, but the Cherries aren’t planning to sell. (iNews)
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone was involved in a row with Arsenal director and former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta towards the end of the game - full story here!
Barcelona
Barcelona are understood to be one of the top clubs showing a strong interest in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi ahead of the summer. (Sky Sports)
Barcelona are exploring Anthony Gordon as an alternative to keeping Marcus Rashford permanently, while they also like Real Betis star Ez Abde. (Matteo Moretto)
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have made a concrete offer of a five-year contract to Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. (Florian Plettenberg)
Chelsea
Chelsea have made contact over hiring former Barcelona manager Xavi to take the job at Stamford Bridge this summer. (talkSPORT)
Chelsea are leading their Premier League rivals in the race to sign talented young Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez this summer. (TEAMtalk)
Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received a surprise approach over becoming the new manager of Ajax. (De Telegraaf)
Liverpool are competing with Arsenal for the potential big-money transfer of Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, but the Cherries aren’t planning to sell. (iNews)
Liverpool are eyeing up Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck as two of their top targets to replace the ageing Virgil van Dijk this summer. (Football Insider)
Liverpool are looking to make a major raid on one of their Premier League rivals this summer - full story here!
Manchester City
Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is emerging as a surprise target for Real Madrid after falling out of favour at the Etihad Stadium. (Defensa Central)
Manchester United
Manchester United are leading the race to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba this summer, with the Seagulls preparing to let him go in a big sale. (CaughtOffside)
Manchester United also have a strong interest in signing in-demand West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, whom they view as the perfect all-rounder for that position. (Ben Jacobs)
Casemiro is making a move to Inter Miami a priority once he leaves Manchester United this summer, with the Brazilian midfielder even prepared to take a pay cut so he can play alongside Lionel Messi. (Sky Sports)
Bruno Fernandes is emerging as a shock target for Galatasaray in an ambitious potential summer transfer. (Sky Germany)
Newcastle United
Bayern Munich have made a concrete offer of a five-year contract to Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. (Florian Plettenberg)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe’s relationship with Real Madrid is rapidly deteriorating - will he play in El Clasico? Full details here!
Real Madrid have reportedly placed Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as a surprise name at the top of their list to take over this summer. (talkSPORT)
Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is emerging as a surprise target for Real Madrid after falling out of favour at the Etihad Stadium. (Defensa Central)
Tottenham
Tottenham are hopeful of agreeing a new contract for talented young defender Luka Vuskovic at the end of the season. (Sun)
Tottenham could also look to strengthen their defence this summer with a move for out-of-favour Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae. (Fussball Daten)
Radu Dragusin is attracting interest from Juventus, Roma, and RB Leipzig as Tottenham are prepared to cash in on the defender this summer. (Sports Boom)