🚨 SHOCK Man Utd sale, £250m spending spree, Arteta breaks silence on Saka deal, Messi Barcelona return discussed, Chelsea injury blow, & more
Today's round-up, featuring huge updates from Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea, and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
Plus latest Chelsea news, Pep Guardiola quotes, & more
Arsenal
Jean-Philippe Mateta to Arsenal could be a story to watch as the Gunners are among the top clubs keeping tabs on the French striker’s contract talks with Crystal Palace, with no agreement yet. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Arsenal officials met with Jorge Mendes in Italy to discuss a possible transfer move for Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, who has also been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool in recent times. (Indy Kaila)
Joshua Abe is being linked with Arsenal as Liverpool look to be facing the very real threat of losing the highly-rated England youth international. (Daily Mail)
Bukayo Saka to Real Madrid? Surprise reports in Spain claim Los Blancos are preparing a huge move for the Arsenal winger. (Fichajes)
However, Mikel Arteta is confident over Saka’s new deal, saying: “I think it is confidence. What Bukayo has transmitted to me and the club, and Emeka [Obasi, Saka’s agent) as well, is that they want to continue to be here. It’s a very healthy and powerful relationship. The journey that he has had at the club and what he has become is something we want to maintain. That is something that is going to leave a legacy at this club and he needs to fulfil that role.”
Barcelona
Harry Kane to Barcelona transfer rumours have to be taken seriously as they are looking for a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, but there’s some uncertainty around whether or not they can truly afford Kane. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Hansi Flick on working with Lionel Messi: “Why not? Messi is the best player of the last ten years. I’ve always enjoyed watching him play football, and he’d be perfect for any team. But his contract ends in 2028 and mine in 2027. So it’s not a question.” (Football Espana)
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich would love to be able to sign one of Ibrahima Konate or Marc Guehi, with the sale of Kim Min-jae looking like a realistic option. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
There is no truth to the Leon Goretzka to Juventus rumours, with Bayern Munich not looking to sell the German midfielder. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca on Filip Jorgensen’s Chelsea future: “I spoke with Filip at the beginning of the season and I didn’t speak with Filip in the last days about that. I think all the players that they don’t play a lot or they don’t use to play, they would like to get more minutes, more games, it’s completely normal. But I didn’t speak with Filip.”
Read Maresca’s press conference in full!
Chelsea have made an enquiry about signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, though it’s anticipated that he could cost as much as €100m. (Fichajes)
Liverpool
Jean-Philippe Mateta to Liverpool could be a story to watch as the Gunners are among the top clubs keeping tabs on the French striker’s contract talks with Crystal Palace, with no agreement yet. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Ibrahima Konate’s future remains uncertain, but Liverpool are expected to win the race for Marc Guehi. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Could another top centre-back be Liverpool-bound? Full story here!
Liverpool are ready to sell Harvey Elliott to a Bundesliga club, with the Reds possibly set to terminate his loan with Aston Villa early. (Football Insider)
Joshua Abe is being linked with Arsenal as Liverpool look to be facing the very real threat of losing the highly-rated England youth international. (Daily Mail)
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola on Rodri’s fitness: “Rodri is making good steps, it’s almost three weeks since he made the last little step back. He knows that we have to take real time to recover fine, recover well, mentally and especially physically from the problems he had, to be consistent from now on until the end.”
Read Guardiola’s press conference in full!
Gianluigi Donnarumma on facing Italy teammate Sandro Tonali during this weekend’s game between Manchester City and Newcastle: “We have an excellent rapport. I have some photos on my phone that always make me laugh, he takes them when I’m not around. I also know that if he scores, he’ll celebrate right in front of me. We talked about this, but we’ve got a special relationship. It will be a very difficult game to play out there, they are a great team.” (Sky Sport Italia)
Manchester United
Manchester United are confident over Elliot Anderson, with sources suggesting the Red Devils feel they can land the 23-year-old England international for quite a bit below Nottingham Forest’s £100m asking price. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Manchester United could end up signing all three of Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton as they plan a major overhaul of their squad, including the sales of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, whilst letting Casemiro leave at the end of his contract next summer. (TEAMtalk)
Although Ruben Amorim wants Robert Lewandowski, there are other key figures at Manchester United who are unsure about investing so much in the veteran striker. (Fichajes)
Antoine Semenyo to Manchester United is now considered the most likely outcome of this transfer saga amid plenty of speculation and links with other big clubs ahead of January. (Fichajes)
Newcastle United
Newcastle United could have an important edge in the race for Elliot Anderson’s signature as the player never actually wanted to leave the club, and was only offloaded for PSR reasons. (Ben Jacobs)
Gianluigi Donnarumma on facing Italy teammate Sandro Tonali during this weekend’s game between Manchester City and Newcastle: “We have an excellent rapport. I have some photos on my phone that always make me laugh, he takes them when I’m not around. I also know that if he scores, he’ll celebrate right in front of me. We talked about this, but we’ve got a special relationship. It will be a very difficult game to play out there, they are a great team.” (Sky Sport Italia)
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PSG
PSG are in the race to sign Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich next summer if he doesn’t agree a new contract. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are in the race to sign Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich next summer if he doesn’t agree a new contract. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze and could offer €50m for him. (Fichajes)
Tottenham want Maghnes Akliouche as one of their top targets for January after also looking at him during the summer. (Football Insider)
Spurs are also very much in the race for one of the most exciting players in the Premier League right now - full story here!
West Ham United
Sacha Boey to West Ham could be one to watch for January as they’re linked alongside Crystal Palace and other major clubs as suitors for the Bayern Munich full-back. (TZ)