🚨 the Daily Briefing - Messi is closer to Barca return now than he was last year, Mount's Chelsea talks have not collapsed, Tierney has chance to leave Arsenal, and more

Saturday's transfer round-up, featuring Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Man United and more...

[From left to right: Scott McTominay, Lionel Messi and Kieran Tierney, via Getty Images]

Good morning guys and welcome to today’s Daily Briefing, an exclusive round-up of the biggest stories and headlines, brought to you ad-free and straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy! :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Lionel Messi is closer to returning to Barcelona now than he was last year.

• Mason Mount’s contract talks with Chelsea have not collapsed.

• Arsenal plan to discuss defender’s future at the end of the season.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is ‘hopeful’ defender William Saliba will feature for Arsenal again before the end of the season after the Frenchman injured his back. “I am very hopeful that he will play again this season. William is progressing, unfortunately, he still has some discomfort. He is not going to be fit for Leeds game,” the Spaniard said.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Nicolas Pepe has admitted that he doesn’t know if he’ll ever play for Arsenal again. The on-loan Nice winger said: “I don’t know what Arsenal want. I could have been important for them but it’s up to the coach. I’m very happy at Nice. I want to focus on the last two months then there will be discussions.”

🤔 Would you like to see Pepe return to the Arsenal squad or should he be sold in the summer? - Let me know in the comments below!

Kieran Tierney has genuine chances to leave Arsenal in the summer.