Season over for Ederson, Leeds head to Wembley, two Arsenal stars say goodbye, Chelsea to up Messinho bid and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and much more!
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:
Erik ten Hag addresses Bruno Fernandes rumours at Man United
Plus more from Inter, Liverpool and Real Madrid
Arsenal
Cédric Soares and Mo Elneny will both say goodbye to Arsenal fans this weekend. It’s over as both players will leave the club as free agents.
Arsenal sweating over future of important figure as rivals hover [TBR Football]
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Barcelona
Lamine Yamal is still only 16 years of age but had the confidence to pull off this sensational piece of skill in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Almeria [pictures from La Liga]:
Xavi: “I can see that Fermín López is ready and mature enough to compete. I think he can be here for several years, he can be a key player for a long time for Barça.”
Xavi: “I just said that the economic situation at Barça is not the best. We are trying to work together with the club to get the best situation and strengthen ourselves. From here we will face the coming season with enthusiasm to get titles.”
Xavi addresses sacking rumours [Diario AS]
Champions League Final
Lenny Kravitz is set to rock the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off show.
Chelsea
Pochettino: "We talked about patience and when you need to build something, you need time, but it always looks like an excuse at a big club. We kept working and being positive to finish in a good way for the club."
Pochettino: "This is not my team. This is Chelsea's team. You know my style after 15 years working, how we want to play, in possession... It's not important what I'm going to say. After you are going to twist things."
Chelsea have again been following Estêvão Willian closely with excellent feedback once again. Estêvão, shining vs future Chelsea gem Kendry Paez. Chelsea are prepared to improve their bid and advance with Palmeiras after personal terms agreed.
Chelsea’s new bid for Estevão will be in excess of his €55m release clause. The Blues will proceed in order to get better payment terms + more than 40% of the potential final fee in add-ons. Chelsea already did the same with Nico Jackson’s release clause last summer.
Si Phillips has a strong opinion on Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea head into the final game of the season.
France
N’Golo Kanté returns to the France national team squad for Euro 2024. He’s back for the first time since June 3, 2022.
France squad for Euro 2024: Aréola, Maignan, Samba, Koundé, Clauss, Pavard, Konaté, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Mendy, Camavinga, Fofana, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery, Tchouaméni, Griezmann, Kanté, Barcola, Dembélé, Coman, Giroud, Kolo Muani, Mbappé, Thuram.
Amongst those that France left out of their squad for Euro 2024 are: Michael Olise, Malo Gusto, Mo Simakan, Jean Clair Todibo, Axel Disasi, Mattéo Guendouzi, Jean-Philippe Mateys and Moussa Diaby.
Germany
OFFICIAL: Germany preliminary squad for Euro 2024 has been confirmed by Julian Nagelsmann.
Nagelsmann: “I had a long talk with both Hummels and Goretzka. They're very disappointed as they’re out of the list. I tried to explain why they weren't included. It's understandable that they are sad.”
Girona
Girona have sent a new formal proposal to sign Uruguayan gem Luciano Rodríguez, as expected. New proposal from City Group is worth $15m for 70% of the player’s rights from Liverpool de Montevideo. Up to the club now.
Girona contact Liverpool midfielder ahead of potential summer move [Relevo]
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martínez on his deal due to expire in June 2026: “We are still in talks with the club to extend the contract. I hope to reach an agreement with Inter as soon as possible.”
Bento confirms Inter approach as transfer rumours intensify [Football Italia]
Juventus
Federico Chiesa on contract due to expire in June 2025: "I want to stay here, I want to bring this top club back where it deserves to be. I discussed a new contract with the director Giuntoli but we will talk again at the end of the season."
Italian newspaper Tuttosport director Guido Vaciago: “After the game, Allegri told me: you’re a sh**y director. Write the truth in your newspaper, not what the club tells you. Look, I know where to come and get you. I know where to wait for you. I'll come and rip off both your ears. I'll come and hit you in the face. Write the truth in your newspaper.”
Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri will part ways as he won’t be the manager next season, as planned since February. The only detail to clarify is whether Juve decide to sack Allegri now or in 10 days. Juventus priority candidate as new head coach remains Thiago Motta.
Juventus contract proposal to Thiago Motta to become their new head coach for next season is a three-year deal, valid until June 2027. Thiago Motta did an excellent job as Bologna manager qualifying for UCL… and he will inform the club about his final decision soon.
Massimiliano Allegri banned and fined after Coppa Italia outburst [Football Italia]
Leeds United
Daniel Farke will have been delighted with the way his Leeds side tore Norwich apart in the first half at Elland Road. By half-time the all whites were three up thanks to goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter. In the second half, Crysencio Summerville put the gloss on a 4-0 win to take Leeds to Wembley (pictures from Sky Sports):
Newcastle circle around Leeds star after stunning campaign [Daily Mail]
Liverpool
Arne Slot tells Liverpool to sign 26-year-old Man United and Man City target [El Nacional]
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Manchester City
Ederson will miss the final two games of the season for Manchester City due to a small fracture of his eye socket. Stefan Ortega will be Man City’s GK.
Joško Gvardiol’s agent Marjan Šišić: “He’s really delighted to be at Manchester City. He strongly wanted to join City last summer. Joško knew that the City project was the best option possible and he was right… I’m not surprised by his goals, he has had great finishing since he was kid. I remember Joško scoring when playing CM at Dinamo Academy in U14 and U15. You can clearly see that he did not forget that finishing touch.”
Outstanding Man City ace admits “there’s a lot more to come” [The Independent]
Manchester United
Sofyan Amrabat, among best players on the pitch for Man United against Newcastle: "But trust me, this is still not Sofyan at the top level. It's my second 90 mins in four, five months. I've been patient. I was always ready for the team when they needed me, one minute or ten minutes."
Erik ten Hag: "Absolutely, Man United wants to keep Bruno. No question about that. As far as I know, he loves to play for Manchester United so it's all good."
Luke Shaw’s season could be over as Erik Ten Hag says “he only has a very small chance to make it for the FA Cup final after he had a setback.” Harry Maguire has good chances; Varane and Lindelof are back on the pitch.
Manchester United’s plan, already clear since March — club prepared to bring in a new left back in the summer transfer window.
Premier League coach pours cold water on Man United rumours [The Telegraph]
Napoli
Napoli president de Laurentiis: “By the end of May we will announce our plan for next season, our projects and also a new sporting director. We can confirm there will be a new director in charge” — and it will be Giovanni Manna, joining from Juventus.
Napoli president de Laurentiis: “You are the ones talking about Antonio Conte, I never mentioned that. It was a topic in November, that’s it. It looks like there’s only one man who can bring Napoli to the top level but that’s not the case.”
Napoli join the race to sign Man United outcast [Corriere dello Sport]
Netherlands
OFFICIAL: Dutch national team provisional squad with initial 30 players for Euro 2024. Jurrien Timber, Joshua Zirkzee and Wieffer have been left OUT.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid keep working and advancing on Lucas Vázquez’s new contract, waiting to clarify Modrić and Kroos future.
Alphonso Davies disappointed by Real Madrid’s efforts to sign him [Football Espana]
Sevilla
Jesús Navas has decided to leave Sevilla at the end of the current season. After returning to the club in 2017, Jesús will leave as he has confirmed. He will not retire as he’s ready for a new chapter as a free agent at 38. Navas was not offered a new contract by Sevilla despite being a legend of the club from 2000 to 2013 and from 2017 to 2024.
Sevilla decide to part ways with manager for next season [Estadio Deportivo]
The Debrief Podcast
Are Spurs serial losers? Angus Scott and Ben Jacobs are joined by Ricky Sacks of Last Word on Spurs to break down Big Ange’s comments following the team’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. Did he say the quiet part aloud? That Spurs do not have a winning mentality? Or is it simply a matter of unique circumstances with Arsenal challenging to win the league and Spurs having an opportunity to spoil the party. Fabrizio Romano is here as always, answering your questions on the upcoming transfer window. Make sure to subscribe, so you can submit your queries and have them read during the pod.
As of 1st June 2024, the Daily Briefing will become a completely premium newsletter, which means that only paying subscribers will be sent the update each morning.
If you would like to continue to receive this newsletter in your inbox every day, then please upgrade to a full membership. As a special offer to new subscribers, we’re giving away 3 MONTHS for FREE until midnight on 31st May. Click the link below!