the Daily Briefing - What next in busy January for Arsenal? €150m alternative to Bellingham, Rabiot speculation, and more

Hi guys and welcome to my latest Daily Briefing! :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Who could clubs turn to if they can’t sign Jude Bellingham?

• Is Adrien Rabiot’s Juventus future in doubt again?

• Plus more from Man Utd, Chelsea and Real Madrid

Arsenal

I always felt it could be an important season for Arsenal, even if they are performing beyond expectations. They have built something really good, the atmosphere inside the dressing room is fantastic.

I’m told they are not finished - they want to keep building, and to keep fighting for the Premier League. They wanted a midfielder in the summer, though a deal for Douglas Luiz was not possible. They also wanted a winger, Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible. They also had positive talks over Mykhaylo Mudryk but he was too expensive, and even more now. Still, Arsenal will be busy in the next weeks and months.

I can also reveal that, during the summer, Gabriel Magalhaes was wanted by Juventus and another club, who I can’t reveal for now. Arsenal were absolutely adamant that he was untouchable, and their position never changed. They then gave him a new contract, and the priority now will be to go strong on new contract talks for William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. They are optimistic, they feel these players want to stay.

Barcelona

Xavi on Cristiano Ronaldo after the Europa League draw: “He seems to me to be a great player, he has marked an era in world football and can still make the difference.”

Bayern Munich

Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic on Alex Nubel: “Neuer will definitely play another two or three years and Sven Ulreich will also be there. Nubel will not come back in 2023. We spoke to Alex on our plans at some point we have to make decisions.”