🚨 TRUTH about €80m Chelsea bid, Dybala to Aston Villa rumours, Juventus star made available, duo linked with Arsenal, Liverpool CB talks, and more
Today's round up of all the biggest football headlines.
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - all your essential football headlines in one place, delivered completely ad-free and straight to your inbox. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Dusan Vlahovic scores two stunners and could his Juve teammate leave?
Plus more from Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United
Ajax
Ajax are confident on Jordan Henderson deal! Negotiations are advancing - contacts took place even yesterday. It’s not a done deal yet, all parties are cautious but the deal is absolutely on. Ajax are pushing, and there will be more to follow.
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Atletico Madrid
Benfica
Benfica and Man Utd have just signed Alvaro Fernandez deal! It will be a loan with buy option: €6m. The deal becomes permanent if Alvaro plays 50% games as a starter. Man Utd will have buy back clause, and also have matching rights and sell-on clause.
Benfica statement on Joao Neves and Man United. “Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over Joao Neves. Under no circumstances has Benfica started talks with Manchester United or any other club about João — nor does it intend to do so.”
Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach are now looking for loan deal for future number 1 Jan Olschowsky. Several clubs interested as Olschowsky can leave on 6 to 18 months loan deal.
Brighton
Valentin Barco announces: “Yes, the deal with Brighton is 100% done. I’ve signed the contract. My dream has always been to play in Europe. I tried to let Boca have sell-on clause but no way… so Brighton had to trigger the clause.”
Chelsea
Is Mauricio Pochettino’s job at Chelsea safe? Fabrizio Romano gave us the latest details in the clip below…
Chelsea have NOT submitted any bid for Viktor Gyokeres despite recent reports. Gyokeres, who has a €100m release clause, is having fantastic season at Sporting and has been scouted by many top clubs, but there are no negotiations taking place now. Gyokeres is not planning to leave Sporting in January - this has always been the idea. Sporting are also very clear: paying his €100m release clause is the only way. Movement is expected in the summer as top clubs are monitoring Gyokeres, who has 20 goals and 10 assists this season.
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson on Crystal Palace being keen on signing Kalvin Phillips: “He’s a name out there. All we know is there is a possibility Man City will sell or loan him. If they’re going to loan him, I’d like to think that we could possibly push ourselves forward.”
Everton
Everton want to keep Jarrad Branthwaite, but he’s been scouted by top clubs and could be one to watch in the summer - more info here from Fabrizio Romano.
Flamengo
Flamengo are prepared to improve their bid to sign Matias Vina. Talks are entering into final, key stages with AS Roma. Final proposal will be higher than €7m.
Granada
After PSV Eindhoven and LA Galaxy, also Granada have asked for Facundo Pellistri on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season. Discussions will follow in the next days to decide on the next step for Pellistri.
Inter Milan
Inter are closing in on the agreement to sign Mehdi Taremi as a free agent in July. It will be a contract valid for two years with the option for a further season. There are final details to be discussed after the Asian Cup to close the deal… and then time for here we go.
Juventus
Two goals of the highest quality from Dusan Vlahovic last night! FT Juventus 3-0 Sassuolo [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Moise Kean could leave Juventus on loan or even permanently if an important proposal comes in - more exclusive details from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli when asked about Jordan Henderson: “We have decided to close the market, we won’t sign any player. We want to trust our players, this is our choice in this moment.”
LAFC
Former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to start his new career as he will remain with LAFC as a Player Development Coach, the club has confirmed.
Leeds United
Leeds United talent Archie Gray has agreed a new contract valid until June 2028. His new contract runs for next four and half years and will replace a previous deal which was due to expire in 2025.
Liverpool
Will Liverpool feel hard done by about this? Howard Webb is pretty sure it was the wrong call not to give a penalty for this Martin Odegaard handball…[Pictures from Sky Sports]
Lyon
Olympique Lyon are set to sign Gift Orban, with the deal being sealed as revealed on L’Equipe. This looks a fantastic signing for OL as the final details are being sorted and it will be done in the next hours.
Manchester City
Roy Hodgson on Crystal Palace being keen on signing Kalvin Phillips: “He’s a name out there. All we know is there is a possibility Man City will sell or loan him. If they’re going to loan him, I’d like to think that we could possibly push ourselves forward.”
Manchester United
Leny Yoro is well liked by INEOS and Manchester United could be involved in a big battle for his signature this summer - full details here from Fabrizio Romano.
Benfica and Man Utd have just signed Alvaro Fernandez deal! It will be a loan with buy option: €6m. The deal becomes permanent if Alvaro plays 50% games as a starter. Man Utd will have buy back clause, and also have matching rights and sell-on clause.
Benfica statement on Joao Neves and Man United. “Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over Joao Neves. Under no circumstances has Benfica started talks with Manchester United or any other club about João — nor does it intend to do so.”
After PSV Eindhoven and LA Galaxy, also Granada have asked for Facundo Pellistri on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season. Discussions will follow in the next days to decide on the next step for Pellistri.
Marseille
Ulisses Garcia will complete medical tests and contract signing at OM today.
Olympique Marseille close one more signing after Ulisses Garcia - it’s almost done for Faris Moumbagna. Agreement with Bodo-Glimt for €8m. Contract valid until June 2028, final details being sealed. Here we go soon.
Napoli
Cyril Ngonge to Napoli, here we go! A deal is in place after an agreement yesterday morning for €18m plus €2m add-ons to Hellas Verona. Ngonge will travel on Wednesday for medical tests and contract signing.
Victor Osimhen when asked about move to Premier League: “Of course, one day I’d love to play in Premier League definitely. But for now I’ve other plans for my career. When the time comes, everyone will know.”
Newcastle United
Newcastle are expected to confirm their decision on Joelinton’s groin injury soon. Surgery could mean this season is over for the Brazilian - Newcastle staff don’t want to take any risk.
Nice
Valentin Rosier to OGC Nice from Besiktas, here we go! An agreement has been sealed on a loan deal with obligation to buy clause. Medical tests are expected to take place on Wednesday.
Could another big name be set for a move to Nice this January?
Real Madrid
Leny Yoro has been closely followed by Real Madrid and could be involved in a big battle for his signature this summer - full details here from Fabrizio Romano.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad are closing in on deal to sign Sheraldo Becker from Union Berlin. Negotiations at final stages between clubs, almost done. It will be permanent move for Becker as personal terms are also being finalised.
Roma
Jose Mourinho and Roma parted ways with immediate effect yesterday. Daniele De Rossi has taken over as the new Roma manager. The former club captain has signed a contract until June 2024, with the option to extend.
Paulo Dybala’s release clause has now expired - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Flamengo are prepared to improve their bid to sign Matias Vina. Talks are entering into final, key stages with AS Roma. Final proposal will be higher than €7m.
Sporting Lisbon
Chelsea have NOT submitted any bid for Viktor Gyokeres despite recent reports. Gyokeres, who has a €100m release clause, is having fantastic season at Sporting and has been scouted by many top clubs, but there are no negotiations taking place now. Gyokeres is not planning to leave Sporting in January - this has always been the idea. Sporting are also very clear: paying his €100m release clause is the only way. Movement is expected in the summer as top clubs are monitoring Gyokeres, who has 20 goals and 10 assists this season.
Torino
Torino have sent formal bid to sign Gremio’s highly-rated 2003-born full-back Cuiabano. Negotiations are ongoing as Torino want the Brazilian left-back to be their next signing.
Tottenham
Union Berlin
Union Berlin have sent a formal bid to sign Chris Bedia from Servette as new striker. Negotiations ongoing. Bedia is having an excellent season at Servette and is on the list of several clubs. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad will sign Sheraldo Becker from Union Berlin.
West Ham United
West Ham are out of the FA Cup after this winning goal from Tommy Conway of Bristol City. FT Bristol 1-0 West Ham [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Wouldn't mind Gyokeres at Arsenal but not sure Sporting will have any takers for €100m...