the Daily Briefing - Ronaldo, Haaland, Nkunku, Dalot, Foden, and more

My Daily Briefing, featuring the United and City players who could've been lining up for the other team this weekend!

Good morning guys :-) I hope you enjoy my latest Daily Briefing - ad-free and straight to your inbox as always!

Today’s top stories:

• Which two Man City players were targets for Man Utd?

• Could Chelsea win the race for Christopher Nkunku?

• What’s the latest with Diogo Dalot’s contract?

AC Milan

AC Milan director Paolo Maldini again on Rafael Leao: “He’s grateful to Milan and understands that the best way for his future is here. Yes, I feel new deal agreement is possible. I don’t care about the rumours [on the contract], it’s important what Rafa tells us.”

AC Milan were one of the clubs keen to sign this Manchester United player - click here for full details.

Barcelona

What does the future hold for Ferran Torres as he’s linked with a possible transfer away? Read my thoughts here.

📰 In other news, Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is a target for Barca, and they could be willing to swap Memphis Depay for the Brazilian attacker (Sport)

Chelsea

Chelsea will be one of the clubs in the race for this world class signing next summer - click here to find out more.

📰 Chelsea are ready to try again for Denzel Dumfries with an improved offer in January that could also see them loan him back to Inter Milan until the summer (Corriere dello Sport)

England

Gareth Southgate: “I am not foolish, I know I will be judged on the results at the World Cup and nothing else. Contracts are irrelevant in football - if results aren’t good enough, then you accept that’s time to part ways. My contract is not protecting me.”

Manchester City

Worrying news for Manchester City ahead of this weekend’s big game, as John Stones looks to have picked up a hamstring injury whilst on England duty.

City fans have also been asking me about Phil Foden’s contract - click here for my exclusive update.

And which two City players could’ve been lining up for United in this weekend’s derby? Click here to find out in my exclusive column!

Manchester United

Eric Cantona: “I met Ed Woodward a few times. But they didn’t accept me becoming Man United President of Football. I still think me or somebody else, Man Utd should have somebody for football.”

How close was Cristiano Ronaldo to joining Manchester City last summer?

What’s the latest on Diogo Dalot’s possible new contract at Manchester United? Click here to find out.

Newcastle United

Are Newcastle really interested in a deal for Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij?

📰 In other news, Newcastle are considering a £50million bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk (the i)

Shabab Al Ahli

Jason Denayer flew to Dubai from Belgium last night in order to complete his move to Shabab Al Ahli as a free agent. He had been looking for a new club since leaving Lyon at the end of his contract in the summer.

Watford

Slaven Bilic has been appointed the new Watford manager after the sacking of Rob Edwards. Bilic will be the 9th manager of Watford since September 2019! The list includes Quique S. Flores, Hayden Mullins, Nigel Pearson, Vladimir Ivic, Xisco Munoz, Claudio Ranieri, Roy Hodgson and then Rob Edwards.

How close was Ronaldo to joining Man City, and which two City stars were Man United targets? Plus updates on Nkunku, Dalot, and more

My latest column, with focus on this weekend's Manchester Derby, as well as insight into Nkunku's future and Dalot's contract.

Three Manchester Derby stars who could’ve been lining up for the other side this weekend

With the Manchester Derby coming up this weekend, I thought it was worth looking back at some players who could’ve been going into Sunday’s game representing the other half of Manchester.