the Daily Briefing: Sunday 28th August - Antony, Aubameyang, plus YOUR questions answered on De Jong, Zaha and more
My exclusive transfer news round-up and answers to your questions on Liverpool, Spurs and more.
Good morning guys and welcome to my Daily Briefing - ad-free and straight to your inbox. I’ve also been answering YOUR questions on Frenkie de Jong, Wilfried Zaha and more :)
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan are set to sign Malick Thiaw on a permanent deal from Schalke. It’s done - €5m fee confirmed and personal terms are also agreed. He’s scheduled to have his medical tomorrow.
AC Milan will receive part of the transfer fee for Lucas Paqueta’s move from Lyon to West Ham. Flamengo also set to benefit financially from the sale.
Athletic Bilbao
Done deal - Ander Herrera has returned to Athletic Bilbao on loan until 2023. He completed his medical yesterday, as confirmed by official club statement.
Atletico Madrid
Renan Lodi is set to move on loan to Nottingham Forest, with the option of making the move permanent for €30m. Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon could be his replacement, with contract for a season-long loan move being checked by the clubs.
Barcelona
Barcelona have officially registered Jules Kounde. It’s been confirmed by La Liga.
Marcos Alonso is wanted by Barcelona, but how could it affect Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s potential move to Chelsea? Click here to find out.
Chelsea
Wesley Fofana to Chelsea is getting closer! Documents are almost ready as Leicester and Chelsea reached an agreement on the fee on Friday, confirmed. He'll cost £75m, add-ons included and will sign until 2028.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang favours Chelsea over Manchester United as things stand - click here for all you need to know about the situation.
Roshaan Kapoor asks: How many players do you think Chelsea will sign and sell before the end of the transfer window? Plus are the likes of Gilmour and Ampadu being permanently sold or being loaned out? Click here to see my answer!
Crystal Palace
I've been asked a lot about Wilfred Zaha's future - here's my exclusive update on his situation.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp tells Sky: “I've already said everything I need to say about a new midfielder… if there is the right midfielder, we might do something. There isn’t a lot of time left.”
Could Frenkie de Jong be an option? Click here for my exclusive update on the situation.
Manchester City
Liam Delap turned down an offer from a Premier League club before his move to Stoke City - click here to find out more.
Manchester United
Memphis Depay remains an option under consideration for Manchester United, but how strong is their interest, and what about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? I have all the exclusive information here.
Joseph Howes asks: Do you see United paying €100m for Antony (after €90m was rejected), and if so do you think Ajax will accept it? You can see my answer here.
Personal terms agreed for Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Manchester United are offering £5m as a loan fee, but Newcastle prefer to push for a permanent sale. The player hopes they will let him take this big opportunity.
Napoli
Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti: “I’d love to work with Cristiano Ronaldo, of course - but there are no talks. De Laurentiis [Napoli president] told me that he has not received anything. I think it’s difficult [CR7-Osimhen swap deal] but you should ask our director Giuntoli”.
Nottingham Forest
Deal now fully agreed between all parties for Renan Lodi to join Nottingham Forest, personal terms too. It's done and sealed, medical scheduled and documents to be signed today. Forest will pay €5m loan fee to Atletico Madrid and have a €30m purchase option.
PSG
Fabian Ruiz edging closer and only a matter of time. Personal terms were agreed weeks ago and now the two clubs discussing final details. He’ll sign a five-year contract at PSG.
Edouard Michut has left PSG to join Sunderland - done deal. Full agreement in place on initial loan move with buy clause around €5m and future sale percentage.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti insists he wants to keep Marco Asensio, but I’m told that there are discussions over a move to the Premier League - click here to find out more.
Real Sociedad
There’s no contact between Real Sociedad and Memphis Depay. Click here to find out more about the player’s situation.
Edinson Cavani will decide his future soon, with Real Sociedad among the clubs trying to agree personal terms with the former Manchester United striker.
Roma
Andrea Belotti to Roma is on. He’s agreed personal terms and completed a medical, and will now complete his move on a free transfer after leaving Torino.
Southampton
Mark Howe asks: What strikers are Southampton looking at to buy or get on loan? Click here to find out my answer.
Tottenham
Aidan asks: Have you got any inside word on the players that Tottenham Hotspur are targeting as a replacement for Bryan Gil? Click here to find out my answer.
West Ham
Lucas Paqueta to West Ham is edging closer. Contracts exchanged between the clubs, the player will now have a medical today and sign a five-year contract at the London Stadium.
Wolves
Wolves are prepared to submit new proposal for Sasa Kalajdzic - price tag around €20-25m. He’s asked the club and manager to be excluded from the squad for the Koln game.