🚨 WATCH Bellingham's El Clasico winner, Liverpool back to winning ways, Man Utd eyeing Bundesliga star, Chelsea sale still on, & more
Today's round-up, featuring Real Madrid, Man Utd, Liverpool and much more.
Happy Monday folks and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, brought to you ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich
AC Milan
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli on his future: “We will discuss at the end of the season. I don’t want to comment about it now.” No changes for AC Milan plans; it’s over with Pioli who’s set to leave the club in June.
Arsenal
Could Ferland Mendy to Arsenal be a serious option this summer? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the Real Madrid left-back’s future in his column.
Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal rumours are emerging again after latest developments…
Bernardo Silva transfer also being eyed by Arsenal in shock claims in the British press! Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the story in his latest column here.
Leandro Trossard earns praise from Mikel Arteta: “Trossard, great player. He’s a little magician. He can score on any surface and he’s a big threat; so composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It’s just a joy to have him in the team.”
Aston Villa
Unai Emery on the Bayern Munich job links: “I am 100% focused on Aston Villa, absolutely.”
Barcelona
Andreas Christensen headed Barcelona into the lead in El Clasico, but Real Madrid would later come from behind to win. FT Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona [Pictures from Premier Sports]
Bernardo Silva to Barcelona? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his exclusive column.
How likely is Luis Diaz to Barcelona transfer after latest reports? Fabrizio Romano addresses the rumours in today’s column.
Joao Cancelo: “There are comments which wish the death of my daughter who is about to be born. They don’t say that to my face... but in the comments they insult my wife, my unborn daughter, my baby. Wishing a baby’s death is a very serious thing.”
Ronald Araujo: “It’s all clarified with Ilkay Gundogan, I spoke to him and he apologised. It’s all good.”
Xavi: “We were the best team tonight and we deserved to win. The future with those young talents will be bright for Barca. I don’t need to say anything about the referee, everyone has seen it already - if I speak they may sanction me, the images are there.”
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: “It’s a shame for football world. No goal line technology, why? There’s a lot of money into this industry, but apparently not for the most important thing. It’s just a shame.”
Bayern Munich
Frenkie de Jong to Bayern Munich can’t be entirely ruled out, says Matteo Moretto in his latest exclusive column.
Bayern Munich director Max Eberl on the club potentially changing their minds about Thomas Tuchel leaving: “The decision, Thomas said, still stands. That’s why I don’t need to remap it again now. It was a collective decision. That’s why we don’t need to discuss it.”
Unai Emery on the Bayern Munich job links: “I am 100% focused on Aston Villa, absolutely.”
Sebastian Hoeness: “Bayern job? I will be the coach of VfB Stuttgart next year. If I had the idea of moving, then I certainly wouldn’t have extended my contract. Nothing has changed.”
Chelsea
Trevoh Chalobah is playing more for Chelsea now, but what does it mean for a potential exit this summer? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his exclusive column.
Victor Osimhen to Chelsea transfer reportedly remains one to watch…
Jonathan David has also been linked with Chelsea, but could Napoli also be in for him? More info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Thiago Silva: “My four years here were very good. It’s rare to see players in a high level in Premier League at 39 years of age.” Silva’s future is set to be announced soon with the expectation being that he will part ways with Chelsea.
Coventry City
A tidy finish by Ellis Simms put Coventry back in this thrilling FA Cup semi-final tie! FT Man Utd 3-3 Coventry (4-2 on penalties) [Pictures from ITV Sport]
Everton
What a hit this was by Dwight McNeil as Everton earned an important win over fellow relegation strugglers Nottingham Forest! FT Everton 2-0 Nottingham Forest [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Fulham
Fulham equalised against Liverpool but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat. FT Fulham 1-3 Liverpool [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi will stay at Inter despite Liverpool job links, president Steven Zhang confirms: “There’s no doubt at all, we will continue together. He’s an excellent coach. Inzaghi will stay as key part of our project.”
Simone Inzaghi confirms: “I’m very happy at Inter. We will have time to discuss my contract extension, the relationship with the club is excellent.”
Liverpool
What a goal by Ryan Gravenberch - not a bad way for the Liverpool midfielder to score his first in the Premier League! FT Fulham 1-3 Liverpool [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Ferland Mendy to Liverpool? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the left-back’s future in his exclusive column.
How likely is Luis Diaz to Barcelona transfer after latest reports? Fabrizio Romano addresses the rumours in today’s column.
Federico Chiesa to Liverpool this summer? Reports in Italy suggest the Reds could turn to him to replace Mohamed Salah…
Jurgen Klopp on Trent Alexander-Arnold: “Conor Bradley played a few games or football where we all thought: oh, wow! What was that? But the truth is that nobody is like Trent, that’s the way it is.”
Manchester City
If Bernardo Silva leaves Manchester City this summer, *this* is where he’s going, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Manchester United
Scott McTominay gave Manchester United the perfect start in a classic FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City! FT Man Utd 3-3 Coventry (4-2 on penalties) [Pictures from ITV Sport]
Edmond Tapsoba to Manchester United could be one to watch - more info from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Andre Onana: “We are Manchester United, still the biggest club in the country. We must win, always. We feel good, we feel happy to be in a final. We’ll come back here to win. The most important thing is the victory. We’re in the final, that’s what matters.”
Bruno Fernandes: “We have to do much better. The standard of Manchester United is much higher than what we have been doing.”
Erik ten Hag: “This game is not an embarrassment, I don’t see that word… it’s a huge achievement. We achieved two finals in two years. From all the setbacks we’ve had, even today we had 3-3, and need consistency from the referee.”
Ten Hag: “We did show resilience to win the penalty shootout. It was a strange game. We had control for 75 minutes and have to give Coventry a compliment for what they did in the last 15 minutes, we lacked discipline there.”
Ten Hag: “I know when you have so many injuries as we have had, and in crucial key positions, you can’t deliver the results you want to bring and that is, yeah, okay, but this is my truth. Others can have different truths, but I can’t put energy in that.”
Ten Hag: “I know why I'm here, to bring trophies, to also create, economic value. So we are working on those and, in a process, yeah, you have setbacks. The critics don’t concern me. What concerns me is only having a full squad to choose from once in 18 months.”
Harry Maguire confirms he was still dealing with an injury: “I always put the club first. I haven’t really trained this week.”
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest felt they should’ve had a penalty here - what do you think? FT Everton 2-0 Nottingham Forest [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Nottingham Forest were *not* happy after the game, releasing this statement: “Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. #NFFC will now consider its options.”
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham - what a player, what a signing. He’s now scored the winner in both El Clasico games in La Liga this season! FT Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona [Pictures from Premier Sports]
Carlo Ancelotti after the game: “Let me mention Lucas Vazquez. What a player. His level is very high. He competes with Carvajal who is one of the best in the world. Dani could have played but Lucas is in a very good form.”
Is Ferland Mendy leaving Real Madrid? Fabrizio Romano addresses the latest transfer rumours in his column.
Leny Yoro to Real Madrid transfer interest remains, but only for the right price - more info from Matteo Moretto’s column.
Tottenham
Edmond Tapsoba to Tottenham transfer interest - what’s the latest? Fabrizio Romano has the answers in his exclusive column.
Udinese
Serie A side Udinese are set to appoint former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro as their new head coach. A deal is set to be completed early next week.
Bellingham is incredible, surely gives England real hope for the Euros!
Welcome leny yoro to real Madrid the best time s🥰