The Daily Briefing: Sunday 31st July - Cristiano Ronaldo, Marc Cucurella, Mikel Arteta on transfers, and more
Discover more from Fabrizio Romano's Daily Briefing
The Daily Briefing: Sunday 31st July - Cristiano Ronaldo, Marc Cucurella, Mikel Arteta on transfers, and more
My exclusive round-up of the latest transfer news, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo's future, Manchester City's pursuit of Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Arteta on potential new transfers.
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Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Charles de Ketelaere will fly to Italy this weekend to complete his move to AC Milan. A medical will take place and the contracts have been prepared.
The fee will be €36m including add-ons. De Ketelaere only wanted to join AC Milan, despite interest from the Premier League.
Ajax
Ajax are edging closer to the signing of Pisa striker Lorenzo Lucca on a season-long loan. The deal will include a €10m option to buy.
Lucca will undergo his medical at Ajax on Monday morning.
Arsenal
Nuno Tavares has officially completed his loan move to Olympique Marseille. One-year loan with no option to buy. He will be back at Arsenal next year.
Martin Odegaard has been officially announced as Arsenal’s new captain. The decision was approved by the whole team and the board, despite him only signing last year.
Mikel Arteta on transfers: “We are still hoping to do something else if the market allows. You have seen some movement in the last few days as well…”
🚨Exclusive: Outgoings are key, with Arsenal looking to find solutions for three players this summer.
🚨 Exclusive: A new midfielder is a possibility for Arsenal, but they could be targeting another position if an opportunity arises.
Barcelona
Joan Laporta: “What happens if Frenkie de Jong doesn't take a pay cut and just stays at Barça? Then he will continue, he's under contract. We will respect that decision. We count on him.”
Laporta: "We've never offered de Jong to Chelsea. No, no, no. We had a nice dinner with Boehly in Barcelona and we talked about football.”
Xavi Hernandez: “If the question is whether I would like him to come back? The answer is a resounding yes,” said the Barcelona manager, speaking about Lionel Messi.
Official and confirmed, Oscar Mingueza has left Barcelona to join Celta Vigo on a permanent deal until 2026. Barcelona will receive a percentage of his future sales.
🚨Exclusive: Find out when Lionel Messi will decide his future at PSG and whether I think a Premier League move is a possibility.
🚨Exclusive: Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona.
Bayern Munich
RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, discussing Bayern Munich target Konrad Laimer: “We are in good talks with Konrad Laimer. It’s also known that we are talking to Bayern. Both the player and us can imagine going into final year of the contract without extending it.”
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have announced that “Sebastien Haller is fighting a malignant testicular tumour and will be missing for several months.”
Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl said: “Haller will receive best possible treatment. Chances of recovery are very good.”
Stay strong, Sebastien.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have completed all the documents to sign Marcus Tavernier from Middlesbrough. The fee is £12m including add-ons. An official announcement is expected next week.
Brighton
Marc Cucurella has handed in a transfer request at Brighton.
Cucurella also played no part in Brighton’s friendly against Espanyol on Saturday afternoon, not even making the substitutes bench.
No deal has been agreed with any club, for now, he is still a Brighton player.
🚨Exclusive: An update on Marc Cucurella’s future at Brighton.
Chelsea
Chelsea will allow Timo Werner to leave on loan this summer, with an option to buy included. Juventus and RB Leipzig are both showing an interest, but as it stands, nothing is close to completion.
Newcastle are yet to make an approach to sign Werner.
"We've never offered de Jong to Chelsea. No, no, no. We had a nice dinner with Boehly in Barcelona and we talked about football,” said Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president.
Talks are progressing well between Napoli and Kepa Arrizabalaga over a potential loan move this summer. Napoli plan to bring in Kepa to replace David Ospina, who recently joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
🚨Exclusive: Will Chelsea be in the market for a striker this summer?
🚨Exclusive: A central defender is a priority for Chelsea, but who is on their list? Click to find out.
Everton
PSG and Everton are currently in negotiations for the transfer of Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Talks began a few days ago and are still ongoing, with PSG wanting Everton to pay the majority of his wages. Gueye is interested in a return to his former club.
Manchester City
Marc Cucurella has handed in a transfer request at Brighton with interest from Manchester City.
No agreement in place between the two clubs, negotiations are ongoing but they are difficult. There is a huge gap in valuations, with a final decision expected soon.
Stoke City are in advanced talks to sign Manchester City forward Liam Delap. City will only allow Delap to leave on loan, after rejecting a £16m bid from Southampton and an approach from Newcastle.
🚨Exclusive: Marc Cucurella is Manchester City’s number one target, but will they target other positions?
Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United training.
The Portuguese forward uploaded a picture to his Instagram with some of his teammates, with the caption: “Working in progress.”
Erik ten Hag on Cristiano Ronaldo: “Cristiano Ronaldo will play against Rayo Vallecano. Yes, he will be in the squad tomorrow. We’ll see how long he can play.”
Manchester United are still exploring the possibility of signing RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko. No official bid has been made yet, but Manchester United are interested in the young forward.
Salzburg’s plan has always been to allow Sesko to leave in 2023.
🚨Exclusive: Jorge Mendes is still trying to find a solution for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United. Click to find out more.
🚨Exclusive: Are Manchester United continuing to pursue Frenkie de Jong?
Paris Saint-Germain
Idrissa Gana Gueye is in talks to join Everton. The French club are keen for Everton to pay most of his wages, with Gueye interested in a return to Everton this summer.
Talks have been ongoing for a few days now.
RB Leipzig
David Raum will be announced as a new RB Leipzig player in the coming days. No issues with the deal, the two clubs just have to sign the paperwork, and then it will be official.
No decision has been made on the future of Angelino, it will be discussed in the next few days.
Oliver Mintzlaff (RB Leipzig CEO): “We are in good talks with Konrad Laimer. It’s also known that we are talking to Bayern. Both the player and us can imagine going into final year of the contract without extending it.”
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are looking to sign Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz next summer when his contract expires. Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of Ruiz, having signed him at Napoli.
The deal is of course dependent on what happens with Napoli this summer.
Tottenham
Joe Rodon is in France this weekend to finalise a move to Rennes. A deal is done for a season-long loan, with a €20m buy option confirmed.
Rodon will undergo his medical on Sunday.