Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
What a strike by Kylian Mbappe as he hit a stunning hat-trick in PSG’s win yesterday! FT Montpellier 2-6 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Serge Gnabry has been linked with a return to Arsenal, and Fabrizio Romano says he could be someone to watch this summer…
Reiss Nelson has admirers in the Premier League amid fresh doubts over his Arsenal future - more info from Fabrizio Romano’s latest column.
Mikel Arteta was in Madrid for a scouting mission for Arsenal…
Barcelona
Joao Felix scored against Atletico Madrid - it just had to be him! FT Atletico Madrid 0-3 Barcelona [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Robert Lewandowski also scored in this important win for Barca.
Xavi and Fermin Lopez dedicated Barcelona’s win to Joao Cancelo as he’s now experiencing difficult moments at home. Wishing Joao all the best after personal issues.
Mason Greenwood to Barcelona? It’s not currently in the works, says Fabrizio Romano…
Be the first to read EXCLUSIVE NEWS ARTICLES from me, Fabrizio Romano, Christian Falk, Neil Jones, Ben Jacobs, Jonathan Johnson, Charles Watts and Matteo Moretto!
Bayern Munich
Serge Gnabry transfer suitors could emerge this summer if Bayern decide to put him on the market, says Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Bayern are preparing their new contract proposal for Jamal Musiala, to be discussed in the next months. Extending Musiala’s contract with salary rise, one of top priorities for the club as current deal expires in June 2026 and several top clubs keep monitoring Jamal.
Official: Bayern confirm that Harry Kane has sustained an injury to his left ankle. “The striker has travelled to the national team, where he will be treated in close coordination with the club.”
Benfica
Benfica manger Roger Schmidt on Orkun Kokcu saying he’s unhappy: “If you do that kind of interview, you can’t be part of the team. Impossible. I didn’t speak to the player yet, but I’ll tell him that he did something absolutely negative for club, team and especially for himself.”
Fabrizio Romano has more on the Orkun Kokcu situation in his exclusive column.
Borussia Dortmund
Mats Hummels scored a superb diving header as Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday. FT Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Donyell Malen could have chances to leave Dortmund this summer - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Brighton
Reiss Nelson to Brighton? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on this potential transfer in his exclusive column.
Chelsea
What an insane solo goal by Noni Madueke as Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals! FT Chelsea 4-2 Leicester City [Pictures from Emirates FA Cup]
Cole Palmer has made it 26 goals and assists in 34 games as Chelsea player. 14 goals, 12 assists in a memorable first season for the Blues.
Could Cole Palmer earn a new contract with a pay rise?
Mauricio Pochettino: “We are in a process to build. What the fans want is to go to Wembley and that we achieved. They need to trust me to manage in the way I think is the best way for the club. We need to respect their opinion as much as they need to respect my decision.”
Pochettino on Raheem Sterling: “We need to support him, he’s an amazing player. He has more than ten years PL experience. The contribution was good. He was a little bit unlucky with some actions but we are a team and we need to be there for everyone.”
Marc Cucurella has been called up by the Spanish national team to replace Jose Gaya. Perfect moment for Cucurella as he returned last week for 90 mins after injury, goal today vs Leicester and now called up by Spain.
FA Cup semi-final draw
Chelsea vs Manchester City
Manchester United vs Coventry City
Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce beat Trabzonspor 3-2 but their players then had to face Trabzonspor fans storming the pitch after the game in these absolutely crazy scenes! [Pictures from Ibrahim Haskologlu]
WATCH as Michy Batshuayi aimed a spinning kick at one fan!
Fiorentina
Serie A game Atalanta-Fiorentina has been postponed as Fiorentina director Joe Barone fell seriously ill earlier today and was rushed to hospital. La Viola had been at their team hotel waiting to travel to the stadium when director general Barone was taken ill.
Inter Milan
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta: “We will get Lautaro Martinez new deal done by the end of the season for sure. The relationship with him and his agent is fantastic and we only see one way: Lautaro will sign new contract here at Inter.”
Inter CEO Marotta: “We want to continue with Simone Inzaghi as our manager, he's under contract until June 2025 and it’s all set to keep going with him. Also with Lautaro Martinez, we are on the same page and convinced to continue together.”
Leeds United
What a hit this was by Wilfried Gnonto as Leeds won to go top of the Championship table! FT Leeds 2-0 Millwall [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Our reader-funded model means we can provide you with the most reliable transfer news from football’s most authoritative journalists advertising free, but it does rely on some readers making a contribution by subscribing to the premium content, please try it out by clicking the ‘2 months for Free!’ button below.
Liverpool
This Jurgen Klopp interview was not the Liverpool manager’s classiest moment…
Manchester City
Manchester City are closing in on deal to sign American wonderkid Cavan Sullivan, deal agreed! 2009 born talent set to join City in the next years from Ph. Union despite Real, BVB, Bayern interest. City Academy continue to do an excellent job on talents.
Manchester United
What a way to end this absolutely crazy game at Old Trafford - was this the most entertaining match of the season so far? FT Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Amad Diallo didn’t want to leave Man United in January despite loan bids from several clubs in Championship and in Italy. Erik ten Hag told him to stay as he trusts Amad for the future…and now he’s scored his first goal of the season - a crucial winner for Man United.
Amad: “Every moment is like dream. I was last season at Sunderland and my dream was to play for Man United. So I am here to dream every moment.”
Donyell Malen to Manchester United could be one to watch again for the summer…
Bruno Fernandes: “At this club, you have to always be at high standards — that's why you play for Man United, you want that pressure. This season has not been at the level we want, but we want to improve. We want to win the FA Cup.”
Sofyan Amrabat’s future is reportedly in some doubt, but what’s really going on? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his column.
Mason Greenwood to Barcelona? It’s not currently in the works, says Fabrizio Romano…
Erik ten Hag on criticism and rumours on his future: “It’s about sticking together. You have to face it together and make sure we are always on one page together. You know around Man United there will always be noise.”
PSG
Here’s the moment Kylian Mbappe hit his hat-trick in last night’s big win away to Montpellier. FT Montpellier 2-6 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Kylian Mbappe has now scored 24 goals in 24 Ligue 1 games after his hat-trick last night. The French superstar is on a total of 38 goals in 37 games in all competitions this season.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti: “We’ve found a great goalkeeper in Lunin, he can give us guarantees. We will see how Courtois and Militao will return after serious injuries. We’re not in a rush.”
Roma
What a lovely finish this was by Lorenzo Pellegrini as he hit Roma’s winner yesterday. FT Roma 1-0 Sassuolo [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Sporting Lisbon
Viktor Gyokeres is now on 36 goals and 14 assists in all competitions after last night’s hat-trick. His record is 50 goals and assists in 39 games in all competitions for Sporting this season. “He’s improving every day, he has really special skills”, Ruben Amorim said after the game.
Wolfsburg
Former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been appointed as the new Wolfsburg head coach. Hasenhuttl replaces Niko Kovac following his sacking over the weekend.
🚨 WATCH Mbappe's stunning hat-trick, Man Utd's DRAMATIC comeback, plus Arsenal target could be on the move, rumoured new deal for Chelsea star, and more