🚨 Significant Liverpool update, Chelsea still in Osimhen race, two Arsenal links explained, new Man Utd manager and striker links, & more
Today's Briefing, featuring Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd & more...
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Today’s top stories:
Plus Alexander-Arnold’s future, Mbappe comment & more
AC Milan
Olivier Giroud has received a formal proposal from LAFC and has also had other suitors - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Arsenal
Internal talks will take place soon over possibly bringing Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal this summer, says Fabrizio Romano.
Ousmane Diomande to Arsenal stories have also emerged, but where have these strong links come from?
Gareth Southgate confirms Declan Rice will captain England against Belgium. The Arsenal midfielder will win his 50th Three Lions cap and he’ll wear the armband.
Needless to say, Rice was honoured to be given the armband for his country! [Pictures from Sky Sports News]
Declan Rice: “Last week I saw John Stones… he didn’t even know they were playing us next! I said: big game next! John said: ‘Who are you playing?’. I said : We got you lot! John said: oh… yeah! He likes to take one game at a time, I get that.”
Declan Rice on Ben White and England: “When I go back to Arsenal, I’ll speak to Ben White… and hopefully he does change his mind on England. It’d be a great addition to the squad. But it’s Ben’s decision and Ben’s life. I know Ben and Gareth spoke internally about it… I just hope he changes his mind. He’s such a good guy, he’s an unbelievable footballer.”
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Aston Villa
Nicolo Zaniolo on Corriere dello Sport front page: “Bring me back to Serie A! AS Roma remains in my heart, I’d never go to Lazio in my life.”
Athletic Bilbao
Yuri Berchiche has signed new deal at Athletic Club valid until June 2025. There’s an option included to extend for further year.
Atletico Madrid
Official, confirmed. Koke has signed a new deal at Atletico Madrid until June 2025, as expected. It also includes an option to extend for further years based on appearances. He’s staying.
Koke has consistently reduced his salary to stay at Atletico Madrid. The new structure of the deal includes options to extend the contract year per year. “I’ve had many opportunities but I never wanted to leave my home,” Koke said.
Barcelona
Vitor Roque’s agent Andre Cury: “Vitor is very happy at Barca and there’s no chance for a loan. He’s very good physically and mentally, and he is waiting for more minutes to prove it on the field. Xavi loves him very much. The truth is that there is a queue of clubs ready to pay €50m even now for Vitor Roque. Vitor will not go anywhere even if he is loaned out. He is determined to succeed at Barca.”
Barcelona have plans to sell €200m’s worth of players this summer!
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s success on the pitch has slowed down Xabi Alonso’s talks over possibly moving to Liverpool or Bayern Munich, says Fabrizio Romano.
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid and Bayern keep their positions on Alphonso Davies: Bayern want Davies to sign new deal before June or he will be available on the market. Not leaving for free. Real want Davies; no plans to pay €60m, fee has to be lower. Personal terms, not an issue.
Could this Chelsea star replace Alphonso Davies at Bayern?
Matthijs De Ligt: “Me and Musiala to leave Bayern? Where to go, on holiday? But no, I don’t think so. I hope for us and for Bayern that we’ll both stay. That’s what I’m assuming too.”
Bologna
Thiago Motta on links with the likes of Man Utd, Juventus & PSG: “Of course I am happy and proud. It is very pleasing and a recognition for all that our team has done, not just in terms of results, but the way we achieved those results on the field. I feel very good and am honestly not thinking about my future, because we are experiencing such a great moment and I want to enjoy it to the full. When the time comes, I will think about the future.”
Chelsea
Victor Osimhen to Chelsea? Fabrizio Romano shared his latest info in yesterday’s episode of The Debrief Podcast.
Conor Gallagher wants to stay at Chelsea, so why the hold up over a new deal? Fabrizio Romano has the latest info in his exclusive column.
Ian Maatsen is being linked with a new club - could they hijack Dortmund’s deal for the Chelsea left-back?
Flamengo
Flamengo striker Gabigol has been suspended for the next two years after attempting to deceive anti-doping control. Gabigol will be out from April 1 and he will appeal after this sentence.
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez: “I am experiencing a wonderful moment at Inter. The truth is, I did not imagine my career to be like this, especially considering the history of Argentinean players at Inter. Instead, I got this marvellous opportunity and have been at Inter for six years. It is very important for me to make history with this club and beat records.”
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LAFC
Olivier Giroud has received a formal proposal from LAFC and has also had other suitors - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Liverpool
Liverpool are ‘obsessed’ with hiring Xabi Alonso as manager and will keep pushing to bring him in as their replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is yet to start contract talks with Liverpool, placing Real Madrid on red alert - more here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Manchester City
Saudi dealmakers are expected to try again for Kevin De Bruyne this summer, but he’ll talk with Manchester City first - more in Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Those Erling Haaland Barcelona transfer rumours aren’t going away…
Manchester City are preparing all formal documents to sign deal for American wonderkid Cavan Sullivan to join the club in the future years. Born in 2009, Cavan made his debut for Philadelphia Union II team with an assist. It’s all done, matter of time to sign.
Kyle Walker on Jeremie Frimpong: “Who’s the wing-back at Leverkusen who was at Man City? Oh my good gosh, how many goals has he scored?! It’s just incredible!”
Manchester United
Ivan Toney to Manchester United could be one to watch this summer, says Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Could Ange Postecoglou be a candidate for next Man United manager?
Can Man Utd beat Man City to this transfer of a Premier League star?
Gareth Southgate: “We are really happy to see how Kobbie Mainoo has dealt with training and we see things he can bring already. I am mindful that we have to look after him and make sure his development is at the right speed, but the opportunities are there as well.”
Napoli
Napoli are still taking their time to decide how to proceed with buy option for Hamed Traore from Bournemouth. Manager situation will also be crucial to make final decision or try to negotiate between clubs — still open. The value of the buy option from Bournemouth is €25m.
Real Madrid
“Tchouameni said we will see more of you in Spain…” Kylian Mbappe responds: “Well, I played Real Sociedad, we play Barcelona in quarter finals and if we go through, maybe Atletico in semis! So yes, Spaniards will see me a bit more.”
Real Madrid and Bayern keep their positions on Alphonso Davies: Bayern want Davies to sign new deal before June or he will be available on the market. Not leaving for free. Real want Davies; no plans to pay €60m, fee has to be lower. Personal terms, not an issue.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is yet to start contract talks with Liverpool, placing Real Madrid on red alert - more here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Endrick: “Modric told me: number 9 and number 10! Who knows… next season, maybe you’ll sit next to me. That really attached to my heart, incredible. I thought: man, if Modric believes I am worthy to wear the number 9… then I must be worthy!”
Vinicius Junior got emotional during the Brazil’s press conference after three questions about racism. “I’m sorry. I just want to play football, do everything for my club and my family, never see black people suffering.” [Pictures from El Mundo]
Roma
Nicolo Zaniolo on Corriere dello Sport front page: “Bring me back to Serie A! AS Roma remains in my heart, I’d never go to Lazio in my life.”
Salernitana
Mexican legendary goalkeeper Memo Ochoa will leave Salernitana at the end of the current season. Ochoa will be available as a free agent as the Italian club already signed documents to let him leave. He’s ready for new chapter after featuring in five different World Cups.
Tottenham
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could leave Spurs in the summer as current deal is due to expire in June 2025. Hojbjerg has recently signed with USG Italy as new agency in order to assess all the options ahead of summer transfer window.
Callum Olusesi has signed his first formal professional contract at Spurs valid until June 2026.
