🚨 the Daily Briefing - Chelsea manager agreement, Arsenal target to cost £55-60m, Man Utd scouting wonderkid, and more
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🚨 the Daily Briefing - Chelsea manager agreement, Arsenal target to cost £55-60m, Man Utd scouting wonderkid, and more
[FREE] Today's free edition of the Daily Briefing, featuring Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, and more!
Good morning guys and welcome to today’s *FREE* edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Arsenal
I understand negotiations are currently underway between Arsenal and Reiss Nelson representatives for a contract extension. His current deal expires in June. Mikel Arteta would be happy to keep Reiss, while more European clubs are showing interest in potential free transfer.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is attracting interest again as some fans ask me about reports mentioning both Chelsea and Arsenal. He was on Chelsea’s list in January, but I’m not sure yet if it’s something concrete for them in the summer. Arsenal have different names in the list at this stage. I think his price tag would be close to £55-60m.
Barcelona
An interesting moment in the 10th minute of yesterday’s Clasico as Barcelona fans chanted “Messi, Messi” - a clear message from the supporters to their former player.
Barcelona director Alemany on the possibility of re-signing Lionel Messi from PSG: “We do our thing, Messi does his thing. Messi is in Paris... but in the future you never know. No one can question the love that he receives here in Barcelona. He’s the best in history.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic on whether a new striker will be signed this summer: “Of course we’ll sit down and see what we’ll do on the transfer market...”, he told SkyDE about possible deal for new #9. Bayern are monitoring many options in order to decide together with Thomas Tuchel.
Brighton
Chelsea have not held any talks with Roberto De Zerbi. There is a clause in his contract to allow him to leave, but it only becomes active in the summer, not during the season.
Chelsea
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is close to becoming the new caretaker manager until the end of the season. So why has this happened? They want a good shock for this squad between now and the end of the season, and also to give them more time to choose the next full time coach. There’s an agreement in principle between Lampard and Chelsea on short term deal, he’s happy to return to the club. We are now waiting for the final steps, it could happen very soon.
It won’t change Chelsea’s intention to find new coach for long term project; Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique remain in the race for sure, of course most likely waiting for the summer now to get started at Stamford Bridge.
We know Chelsea decided to make a change and have had conversations with managers in the last few days, though not with Roberto De Zerbi and not with Luciano Spalletti. We know Ruben Amorim is also appreciated but he’s not leaving Sporting now.
But we know Julian Nagelsmann is one of the favourites, and also Luis Enrique was in London on Wednesday morning. Chelsea held talks with Nagelsmann about the long-term project, and these conversations were very positive, but Enrique also prepared a detailed plan for his Chelsea project, so let’s see how this develops, and if other candidates will join them in the race.
At the moment, I’m not sure there was any specific difference between Enrique and Nagelsmann. Both had good conversations with Chelsea, they have different vision and ideas; that’s why Chelsea will take their time before deciding. Enrique would love to work in the Premier League, that’s for sure, he’s 100% sure he wants this job.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is attracting interest again as some fans ask me about reports mentioning both Chelsea and Arsenal. He was on Chelsea’s list in January, but I’m not sure yet if it’s something concrete for them in the summer. Arsenal have different names in the list at this stage. I think his price tag would be close to £55-60m.
Chelsea are very happy with N’Golo Kante’s attitude as he’s been an excellent professional as always in what has been a complicated last eight months. Negotiations over a new deal are now underway. Club want to develop talents but also need experience and leadership and Kante is seen as an important part of the project.
Kai Havertz has provided an update on his future amid some speculation that he could leave Chelsea this summer: “I still have a two-year contract, I don’t have to move every 2-3 years. My girlfriend and I feel very comfortable in London. I love the club, Chelsea — people and fans. I never spoke to Bayern directors after my move to Chelsea.”
📰 Chelsea are considering a surprise move to bring back Antonio Conte as manager (Independent)
💬 Chelsea fans - happy with Lampard returning? Any preference between Nagelsmann or Enrique? I want to hear YOUR views in the comments!
Leeds United
I’m sure Leeds trust Wilfried Gnonto for present and future, despite some recent speculation over his future. Of course the coach situation will be crucial to understand what’s next for Gnonto, but the club and the board 100% trust him.
Leicester City
It is my understanding that Leicester are leading the race to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili, as the Georgian goalkeeper is attracting lot of interest. His agent Levan Seturidze was yesterday at Stamford Bridge for the game between Chelsea and Liverpool; he’s in London working on a summer move.
📰 Leicester City will ask for £50m for James Maddison this summer (Telegraph)
Manchester United
Maurits Kjaergaard of Red Bull Salzburg is an emerging talent catching the eye, but he is really just one of many, many players scouted by Manchester United. Top clubs always scout the best young talents, and he’s certainly one of them. But it’s not just Manchester United watching his progress, there are five or six top clubs following him.
Erik ten Hag is once again defending Wout Weghorst and his contributions to the Manchester United team: “I think with Wout, we are quite successful. I think that’s the evidence. That’s what I can say about that. I am happy with Weghorst because he’s doing a great job for this team.”
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis: “We wish to end speculation, false and disruptive reporting in the media to say that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest”.
Marinakis admits it’s a “difficult situation” in the Premier League for Forest right now, but there is no plan to fire the coach.
PSG
Despite rumours of PSG approaching Julian Nagelsmann, I’m only aware of him holding talks with Chelsea at this stage. Still, PSG will probably be in the managers domino as Christophe Galtier could leave the club, it’s a serious possibility.
Barcelona director Alemany on the possibility of re-signing Lionel Messi from PSG: “We do our thing, Messi does his thing. Messi is in Paris... but in the future you never know. No one can question the love that he receives here in Barcelona. He’s the best in history.”
💬 Is Lionel Messi going to go back to Barcelona? Who could PSG sign to replace him? Give me your thoughts in the comments!
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ukrainian talent Georgiy Sudakov has signed a new contract at Shakhtar Donetsk valid for the next five years. Sudakov was born in 2002 and is considered one of the top gems of Ukrainian football. His new deal is done and sealed.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
🚨 the Daily Briefing - Chelsea manager agreement, Arsenal target to cost £55-60m, Man Utd scouting wonderkid, and more
Not convinced winning the treble with a front three of Messi, Neymar and Suarez in their prime qualifies Enrique for the challenge at Chelsea...
Lampard at Chelsea would be interesting... largely responsible for bringing through a host of top-quality youth stars during his time at Stamford Bridge. But this is Chelsea ultimately going for (or hoping, at the very least) the home stretch appointment effect.