🚨 WATCH Harvey Elliott screamer vs Spurs, Chelsea thrash West Ham, plus latest on Arsenal star's future, Ten Hag to Bayern, & more
Today's round-up of the top football stories, featuring Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd, and much more!
Happy Monday everyone, welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, and thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Watch Conor Gallagher’s superb goal as Chelsea thrash West Ham
Plus more from Man Utd, Barcelona, and Real Madrid
AC Milan
Olivier Giroud scored this superb effort but it was a frustrating game overall for AC Milan. FT AC Milan 3-3 Genoa [Pictures from TNT Sports]
AC Milan’s ultras made their feelings clear this weekend, so what’s the latest on the crisis at the San Siro? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Arsenal
Exclusive update on Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal future from Fabrizio Romano.
Ivan Toney transfer rumours have gone quiet - Fabrizio Romano has the latest on his situation in his exclusive column.
Barcelona
Pedri to Liverpool? Fabrizio Romano responds to the surprise stories in his latest column.
Barcelona manager Xavi confirms his appreciation for Eric Garcia: “He’s absolutely capable of being part of the Barça team, I always said that. He ended up being a Girona player for reasons beyond my control.” Girona will push again soon to keep Garcia for next season.
Vitor Roque’s agent Cury: “Everyone saw that against PSG, Barca needed a goal and they could’ve benefited by having another 9. In many games they needed fresh legs up to press... but if Xavi doesn't see it that way, then patience. But we can NOT continue like this.”
Cury: “He will not leave on loan. If he leaves, it will be on permanent transfer. No one understands why Xavi doesn’t play him and doesn’t even speak to Vitor, it’s not right. We will discuss his future with Barca soon.”
Cury: “We chose Barca because Vitor loves the club, imagine that we really had other proposals that gave us twice as much. But if we can't find a solution internally, we will have to look for another place on permanent transfer.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have made history by equalling Benfica’s record of 48 games unbeaten in all competitions between December 1963 and February 1965. 48 games, 0 defeats and 134 goals scored for Xabi Alonso’s team - an extraordinary achievement.
Bayern director Max Eberl on Florian Wirtz as a target for 2025: “When a player like Wirtz is available, we have to consider it. But such a player can also decline, so we will see.” Bayer Leverkusen consider Wirtz untouchable for this summer.
Bayern Munich
Will you be Bayern coach in the future? Zinedine Zidane: “No. I'm going to watch the game, hopefully Real Madrid will win.”
Bayern director Max Eberl on Florian Wirtz as a target for 2025: “When a player like Wirtz is available, we have to consider it. But such a player can also decline, so we will see.” Bayer Leverkusen consider Wirtz untouchable for this summer.
Ten Hag to Bayern Munich? Reports suggest the Man Utd boss could be a candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl confirms: “We will try everything to keep Jadon Sancho here. But Manchester United also sees how well he is playing at the moment. Maybe they also want to sell him for profit or bring him back… we will see.”
Brighton
The initial penalty might’ve been saved, but Brighton still bagged an important late winner against Aston Villa. FT Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Brighton are more than happy with their signing Joao Pedro making it 20 goals in all competitions on his first season at Brighton. A £30m investment, proving smart and successful.
Chelsea
Conor Gallagher struck this lovely effort as Chelsea thrashed West Ham! FT Chelsea 5-0 West Ham [Pictures from X/Chelsea FC]
Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on this saga in his exclusive column.
Cole Palmer has become only the third player in Premier League history to reach 30+ goal involvements in a single season while aged 21 or younger. 21 goals, 9 assists.
Exclusive thoughts on this season’s player of the year - Fabrizio Romano singles out Cole Palmer in his column, but who else is a contender?
Omari Hutchinson has dropped a hint over his Chelsea future after such an impressive loan spell at Ipswich Town…
Mauricio Pochettino: “It’s true last season was tough for everyone here and to turn the feelings and performance this season is difficult. We needed time for everyone to trust in the process and we have recovered good feelings at Stamford Bridge.”
The green light has arrived for former Brighton Head of Recruitment Sam Jewell to start his new job at Chelsea. Jewell was on gardening leave but it’s all agreed now to start work for summer window. He’ll have a senior role as part of multi-club project to select new players.
Girona
Barcelona manager Xavi confirms his appreciation for Eric Garcia: “He’s absolutely capable of being part of the Barça team, I always said that. He ended up being a Girona player for reasons beyond my control.” Girona will push again soon to keep Garcia for next season.
Juventus
Gleison Bremer headed in this fine equaliser against Roma yesterday. FT Roma 1-1 Juventus [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Weston McKennie on his contract being due to expire in June 2025: “I’ve still one year left, my agents are talking to Juve about new deal. I really hope to stay and continue here. I’m happy at Juventus.”
Liverpool
What a goal by Harvey Elliott as Liverpool raced into a four-goal lead against Tottenham yesterday! FT Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Pedri to Liverpool? Fabrizio Romano responds to the surprise stories in his latest column.
Manchester United
Manchester United remain one of several clubs in the race for Michael Olise, as release clause in region of £60m will be active this summer. INEOS people are already tracking him, well informed on all details but also aware of competition. He’s one of the names monitored.
Have Manchester United now made a final decision on the future of Jadon Sancho?
Erik ten Hag: “I’ve asked INEOS for more depth, yes. That is one of the issues in constructing the squad that we have to improve, to do things better, and construct a squad we have more depth in. The most important thing is to get the returning players back.”
Man United defender Harry Maguire has picked up a muscle injury in training. United staff expect Maguire is set to be out for three weeks, but is hoping to be fit for the FA Cup final vs Man City and then the Euros with England.
Ten Hag: “For over 10 years I am managing, I never was so many injury issues. Now, in some positions, we don’t have choices. In the left-back position, Luke Shaw has had only 15 starts this season and Tyrell Malacia has zero starts and is not even available.”
Ten Hag to Bayern Munich? Reports suggest the Man Utd boss could be a candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel.
PSG
Renato Sanches will return to PSG at the end of the current season, AS Roma will not trigger the €15m buy option clause to keep him at the club permanently. Sanches will be available on the market as PSG will explore solutions for the Portuguese midfielder.
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid is getting closer - Fabrizio Romano has the latest details in his column.
After Mbappe, could Real Madrid’s next priority be this South American wonderkid? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his column.
Roma
Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring for Roma against Juventus with a typical poacher’s finish! FT Roma 1-1 Juventus [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Renato Sanches will return to PSG at the end of the current season, AS Roma will not trigger the €15m buy option clause to keep him at the club permanently. Sanches will be available on the market as PSG will explore solutions for the Portuguese midfielder.
Sevilla
What a lovely effort this was by Dodi Lukebakio as Sevilla beat Granada. FT Sevilla 3-0 Granada [Pictures from Premier Sports]
Stoke City
Stoke City are pushing to keep 16-year-old England international Jaden Dixon as they’ve offered him pro deal again. There’s interest from two Premier League clubs but Stoke are confident they can offer Dixon a pathway to first team football.
Tottenham
Son Heung-min pulled back this well-worked goal for Tottenham, but it was too little too late in a bad defeat at Anfield. FT Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Ange Postecoglou: “We need change, we need some exits but I really feel like the club has bought into the vision I have and it’s up to me to maintain that. I have all the support I need here at Tottenham.”
Could Tottenham let this player seal a transfer to La Liga in the summer?
West Ham United
West Ham had already decided to part ways with David Moyes before this game and the plan remains clear for next season. Talks continue with candidates including Julen Lopetegui who’s been approached earlier this week.
