the Daily Briefing: Wednesday 24th August - Aubameyang, Fofana, Gordon, Neto, Bailly, and more
My exclusive transfer news round-up, featuring the latest on Chelsea's three top targets, the battle to sign Pedro Neto, and more.
Good morning all and welcome to my latest Daily Briefing :) I hope you enjoy my exclusive transfer round-up, ad-free and straight to your inbox!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
There’s no truth to the Sandro Tonali exit rumours - he’s set to sign a new contract until 2027 in the coming weeks. Milan consider the exciting young midfielder untouchable and a key part of the project.
Milan are still keen to sign Japhet Tanganga from Tottenham, despite talk of Nottingham Forest also being in for the Spurs defender.
Arsenal
Arsenal and Nice are making progress on an agreement for the Nicolas Pepe loan. I’ve been told there’ll be no purchase option, wages still being discussed, but confidence on both sides on reaching an agreement.
Once Pepe to Nice is sorted, Arsenal will try for Wolves winger Pedro Neto - click here to find out more in my exclusive column.
There’s been no approach from Arsenal for Sandro Tonali - AC Milan plan to keep him and tie him down to a new five-year contract in the coming weeks.
📰 In other news, Hector Bellerin has emerged as a possible target for Barcelona, having previously been keen to terminate his Arsenal contract and return to Real Betis (Sport)
Chelsea
Chelsea are still struggling to agree a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - here’s what I expect will happen next.
It’s also proving an uphill battle to sign Wesley Fofana, with another bid rejected by Leicester. Do Chelsea have alternatives? Click here for all you need to know about how this looks set to pan out.
Anthony Gordon is a top target for Chelsea - here’s what I think about his price tag and what I know about interest from Spurs.
Potential outgoings: Inter Milan want to sign Trevoh Chalobah on loan, while Ethan Ampadu is also a loan target for Serie A club Spezia.
Everton
Frank Lampard on Anthony Gordon deal: “Gordon’s our player, everyone knows of Chelsea’s interest. We have a good relationship, ideally [a quick resolution to the situation] or we carry on and he’s our player.”
📰 In other news, Everton want either Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja as part of any deal for Anthony Gordon (talkSPORT)
Fiorentina
Fiorentina are set to sign Antonin Barak on loan from Hellas Verona, with the obligation to buy, which would be activated in case certain conditions are met. Personal terms agreed days ago, just a matter of time before Barak becomes a new Fiorentina player.
Fulham
Exclusive: Fulham were keen to sign this Manchester United player, who is now closing in on an alternative move.
Fulham want to sign PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa as priority target, Marco Silva is a fan of the player. Negotiations are also progressing on a deal for AS Roma winger Justin Kluivert.
Juventus
Juventus are in talks over a loan deal for Marseille forward Arkadiusz Milik. Key talks expected today, while there’s no official communication with Memphis Depay just yet.
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers confirms rejecting another bid for Wesley Fofana: “We’ve received one fresh bid for Fofana and it has been turned down.”
The Leicester manager added that Fofana is now “training with the U23s after failing to turn up to a training session last week.”
What next for Fofana and Chelsea? Click here for my exclusive analysis.
Liverpool
Naby Keita’s injury is a blow for Liverpool - here’s what I know about how it affects their transfer plans in midfield.
Manchester United
Ajax winger Antony is still pushing to join Manchester United - there’s no new official bid from the Red Devils yet, but one is expected. Antony and Cody Gakpo are the priorities for United in that position.
There have been reports of Pedro Neto being offered to United - click here to find out more.
Eric Bailly is hours away from finalising his move to Marseille - I can exclusively reveal that two other major clubs wanted him.
PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy on Man Utd and Cody Gakpo: “There are lot of rumours since long time, it’s clear we’d love to keep Gakpo here at PSV. He never changed his attitude in training after the rumours, that’s so good for a young player.”
📰 Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says the club's board voted against signing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer (Bild)
Nottingham Forest
Deal agreed - Nottingham Forest are close to signing Bordeaux striker Hwang Ui-jo for €5m. He’ll join on a three-year contract before moving on loan to Olympiacos.
Sunderland
Sunderland have opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Edouard Michut. He’s their dream signing for the midfield. A number of other clubs have also been showing an interest since earlier this summer.
Tottenham
Is Anthony Gordon really a target for Tottenham? Click here for all you need to know about this saga.
West Ham
Done deal, official: Emerson Palmieri has joined West Ham from Chelsea. A deal for £13m fee plus £2m add-ons was agreed yesterday, and he also completed his medical with the Hammers earlier this week.
West Ham have submitted a new bid for Hans Vanaken. €11m guaranteed fee plus add-ons, but it’s not enough to convince Club Brugge - a deal is unlikely for that price as they don’t want to lose their club captain just nine days before the end of the transfer window.
Wolves
Pedro Neto is wanted by Arsenal, but he’s also been linked with Manchester United - click here for all you need to know about this deal.