🚨 Salah's Liverpool future HINT, Man United star on decision to leave, Newcastle star wants Bayern move, Chelsea striker links, & more
Today's headlines and news clips from the Europa League and Conference League...
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest Daily Briefing - all your essential football headlines in one place, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox! Thanks for reading, and enjoy :-)
Today’s top stories:
Mohamed Salah’s worrying hint over his Liverpool future
Marcus Rashford on leaving Manchester United
Plus more from Arsenal, Chelsea & Newcastle
Europa League & Conference League round-up
Nottingham Forest beat Porto in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge
Nottingham Forest picked up a much-needed win as they eventually got past Porto in Sean Dyche’s first game as manager.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Forest, but two goals from the penalty spot either side of half time ensured they got back to winning ways with a big result in the Europa League.
FT Nottingham Forest 2-0 Porto [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Aston Villa’s winning run ends with Go Ahead Eagles defeat
Aston Villa’s recent winning streak has come to an end, as they were beaten 2-1 by Go Ahead Eagles last night.
Although they took the lead, the Dutch side came from behind to secure a famous win for them, while Emiliano Buendia also missed a penalty for the visitors.
FT Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 Aston Villa [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Crystal Palace error gifts AEK Larnaca victory
Some sloppy play at the back from Crystal Palace gifted the winning goal to AEK Larnaca.
This really wasn’t Palace at their best, but in fairness it was also a great finish!
FT Crystal Palace 0-1 AEK Larnaca [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Max Dowman to sign scholarship terms. A pro deal is expected to follow when turns 17 at the end of 2026. Dowman could have moved anywhere and for more money but he only wanted Arsenal, with the deal now in the process of being finalised. (David Ornstein)
Gabriel Martinelli could’ve left Arsenal this summer and at one point looked like slipping to fourth choice on the left wing, so how did he turn his Gunners career around? (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Gary Neville on Jurrien Timber: “I think Timber is almost, in my mind, I would class as being… do you know the guy that plays for Real Madrid? Carvajal. For me, he’s the best. And I think Timber’s the nearest to him at the moment, I see, in terms of being able to do that bit and do that bit, do the forward bit well enough, but definitely cuts everything off down his side.” (The Overlap)
Barcelona
Marcus Rashford: “I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. Of course, I hope to stay here yeah for sure!” (ESPN)
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany’s new Bayern Munich contract is valid until June 2029 and does not include a release clause or any kind of option for Premier League clubs. (Fabrizio Romano)
Nick Woltemade still wants to seal a future move to Bayern Munich after nearly joining them before his move to Newcastle in the summer. (Bild)
Lennart Karl: “Champions League is a dream come true for me, Man of the Match at 17… hearing the anthem, I had goosebumps! Things are going well but there’s a lot more work to be done. Everyone can keep working on their weaknesses and strengths, I’ll do it.”
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Chelsea
Chelsea have been linked with Vitor Roque as the talented young Brazilian striker starts to show his best form again, but what’s the truth? Full story here!
Chelsea are exploring a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as an alternative to AC Milan’s Mike Maignan. (TEAMtalk)
Estevao: “Let me say thanks to Enzo Fernandez. He’s a sensational guy, he gave me the opportunity to take the penalty. I didn’t expect that. I looked at him, he gave me the ball, I was very happy. This reflects a lot of our group, very united...” (ESPN)
David James says Robert Sanchez is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League: “The one I was actually going to say was Robert Sanchez. I know there are a lot of people who look at Sanchez and question his capabilities but I think he is outstanding.” (Metro)
Everton
Everton are keen on re-signing Richarlison from Tottenham if he’s available in the January transfer window. (TEAMtalk)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi has signed a new deal with Inter Miami until December 2028, confirmed. The MLS have approved all formal steps after a verbal agreement reported last week - Messi is staying with the club for another three years. (Official)
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has removed Liverpool from his social media accounts after being dropped by Arne Slot. Full story here!
Liverpool remain keen to sign Marc Guehi, but Bayern Munich are also in the race for the Crystal Palace centre-back as he approaches the end of his contract. (Florian Plettenberg)
Virgil van Dijk: “After Man United game, we had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. We had to stay calm and block out all the noise from the outside because that’s something you can’t control.”
Manchester City
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic could leave and is attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League and beyond. (Mark Brus, CaughtOffside)
Manchester United
Manchester United want Andrey Santos from Chelsea as one of their list of midfield targets, having first asked about the talented young Brazilian during talks over Alejandro Garnacho in the summer. (talkSPORT)
Conor Gallagher on loan to Man Utd could be another option to watch out for, though Atletico Madrid would prefer to sell the former Chelsea midfielder permanently for around £35m. (talkSPORT)
Marcus Rashford: “I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. Of course, I hope to stay here yeah for sure!” (ESPN)
Rashford: “People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Man United. Sometimes you just need a change.”
Newcastle United
Nick Woltemade still wants to seal a future move to Bayern Munich after nearly joining them before his move to Newcastle in the summer. (Bild)
Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen and Dani Ceballos are back from injury and will be available for El Clasico. Xabi Alonso is set to decide how to make use of them. (Fabrizio Romano)
Endrick’s father Douglas: “I know how much you my son focus on football every day of his life, how good you are. You are a winner, you are a warrior. Your star will shine. Your future will be up there. I love you.” (Instagram)
Arda Guler: “This season I feel really important in this team, thanks to coach Xabi who believed in me. He asks me to control the tempo. If he wants me score and assist, he plays me as a 10. If he wants me to control the tempo, he plays me as an 8.”
West Ham United
Joshua Zirkzee is expected to push to leave Manchester United this January, with West Ham leading the race for his signature. (Daily Mirror)