🚨 SHOCK Trent return, Chelsea & Spurs bidding war, two Arsenal deals directly linked, Man Utd out of Carabao Cup, & more

Today's round-up as Chelsea and Spurs battle for the same stars!

(Photo by Angel Martinez, Richard Pelham, Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Don’t miss Charles Watts’ exclusive column!

• Chelsea and Spurs battling for top attacking midfielders

• Man United have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup

• Plus Liverpool, Man City, West Ham & more

AC Milan

• AC Milan have made contact to explore a potential move for Christopher Nkunku. Milan are in active talks for new signings in attack and Nkunku has been discussed in recent hours as he could leave Chelsea in the final days of the window. (Fabrizio Romano)

Arsenal

• Arsenal’s move for Piero Hincapie is complicated and directly linked to Jakub Kiwior also leaving the club for a move to Porto. (Charles Watts, CaughtOffside)

• The reported Kiwior fee looks a bit low and some sources suggest it could end up being a bit higher than that, though the Gunners continue to have issues with selling players. (Charles Watts, CaughtOffside)

Bayer Leverkusen

• Bayer Leverkusen made an enquired to Newcastle about signing Sven Botman as a potential replacement if Piero Hincapie leaves to join Arsenal. The deal is seen as complicated - Newcastle would prefer not to sell Botman, so it looks unlikely to happen at this stage. (Fabrizio Romano)

Bayern Munich

• Chelsea and Bayern Munich have had contact again over Nicolas Jackson, who could now move for a £10m loan fee instead of in a permanent deal. (Ben Jacobs)