🚨 WATCH Sterling's superb strike, why Werner is joining Spurs over Man Utd, what Arsenal LB search means for Zinchenko, plus could Henderson return to the Premier League?
Today's football headlines, featuring transfer news and goal videos!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing! Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Latest Liverpool transfer news and a look ahead at today’s game vs Arsenal
Plus more from Chelsea, Brighton and Real Madrid
AC Milan
Filippo Terracciano will undergo medical tests as a new AC Milan player on Monday, early next week. Final fee will be €4.5m plus €1m add-ons to Hellas Verona, while the player has also agreed personal terms.
Fenerbahce have offered €4m for Rade Krunic. There’s still no agreement with AC Milan but negotiations continue. Krunic is out of the AC Milan project and is set to leave the club.
Al Ettifaq
Jordan Henderson is reported to want a move back to the Premier League due to concerns over keeping his England place. However, Al Ettifaq have not been directly informed that the player wants a move, and he is not for sale. Henderson may also have to agree to a significant wage cut if he moves back to the Premier League.
Arsenal
Arsenal are exploring the market for a new left-back, but what does it mean for Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future?
Mikel Arteta when asked about Emile Smith Rowe almost leaving in the summer: “That was never part of our plans.”
Charlie Patino continues to impress on loan - watch his latest goal here!
📰 Arsenal have set an asking price of £30m for Eddie Nketiah this January (Daily Star)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup! Their fine form under Unai Emery continues thanks to this deflected Matty Cash strike late on. FT Middlesbrough 0-1 Aston Villa [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Barcelona
Xavi on Sergi Roberto’s contract being due to expire in June 2024: “I want Sergi to stay and sign new deal. I already told the club my idea about Sergi. He knows what Barca is... What he represents. He is a very criticised player, but he always gives his best.”
Xavi confirms Joao Cancelo’s injury is not serious: “Cancelo is not discarded for the Super Cup game. If he recovers well, he will make the list.”
Xavi: “I like Marc Guiu, he has a lot of things and skills... Guiu's chances will not have nothing to do with the signing of Roque. Vitor Roque and Guiu are both part of our project for present and future.”
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel when asked on how does Eric Dier sound: “English! Have you already asked the sporting director? There will be no comment from me…”
Benfica
Argentinian top talent Gianluca Prestianni is already in Lisbon and he will undergo medical tests as a new Benfica player today. The 2006-born gem will only be able to sign the official contract when he turns 18 on January 31st. It’s all signed between Benfica and Velez.
Borussia Dortmund
Why don’t Manchester United want to allow Borussia Dortmund a buy option for Jadon Sancho?
Talks over Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen joining Borussia Dortmund are advancing. There have been positive developments, but it’s not 100% done yet.
Brighton
Pervis Estupinan only scores worldies! This latest to his collection helped Brighton beat Stoke in the FA Cup. Ft Stoke City 2-4 Brighton [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Valentin Barco will leave Boca Juniors, decision made. Brighton keep talking to Boca on deal structure. If a deal cannot be agreed between the two clubs early next week, Brighton will be ready to activate release clause - they are confident to get it done soon.
Chelsea
What a strike this was by Raheem Sterling as he ensured Chelsea breezed their way past Preston into the next round of the FA Cup. FT Chelsea 4-0 Preston [Pictures from BBC Sport]
Chelsea will proceed soon to activate the recall clause for David Datro Fofana. He’s going to leave Union Berlin while Sevilla are close to getting a deal done with Chelsea, and it’s already approved on player side.
Antonio Silva has been linked with Chelsea, but how likely is a deal this January?
Talks over Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen joining Borussia Dortmund are advancing. There have been positive developments, but it’s not 100% done yet.
Mauricio Pochettino on Christopher Nkunku not even making the bench last night: “He wasn’t involved because he suffered after training a problem in his hip. We need to see if he can be ready for the next few games.”
Everton
Everton are trying to hijack Sevilla’s loan move for Hannibal Mejbri. Hannibal picked Sevilla over Freiburg and Lyon, but talks are still taking place with Man United and nothing is done. Everton are now also showing interest, and it’s now up to the player.
How likely is Hannibal Mejbri to end up at Everton? Fabrizio Romano explains all the key details in full here.
Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce have offered €4m for Rade Krunic. There’s still no agreement with AC Milan but negotiations continue. Krunic is out of the AC Milan project and is set to leave the club.
Inter Milan
What late drama here as Inter stole the win at the death! FT Inter Milan 2-1 Hellas Verona [Pictures from TNT Sport]
Lautaro Martinez confirms: “I’m close to signing new deal here at Inter, the negotiations are advanced. It’s just matter of time.”
Lucien Agoume has completed medical tests as a new Sevilla player on loan from Inter. €8m buy option clause for Sevilla, Inter will have a buy back clause too.
Lille
Juventus and Lille have agreed on a €3.5m fee for Tiago Djalo to join the club in January - Lille confirmed the green light today. The decision is now up to Tiago; Juventus now, or Inter as a free agent in June. Lille would be expected to bench Djalo for the next six months if he decides to leave on a free.
Liverpool
Could Liverpool make a loan signing to provide cover for Mohamed Salah?
Liverpool will decide on the best loan option for Fabio Carvalho in the next few days. Southampton, Hull City and Leeds all pushing to sign him — Wolves also asked for Fabio but game time guarantees will be key.
Liverpool could be in line for a fairly significant sell-on clause if Jordan Henderson is sold by Al Ettifaq. The former Reds captain is reportedly keen to move back to England, but he’s currently not considered for sale by the Saudi Pro League club.
Jurgen Klopp has made it clear he hopes to avoid a replay with Arsenal: “I think a rematch against Arsenal would really not be helpful, that’s how it is, because it just doesn’t fit in, [it] would kill the winter break, stuff like this.”
Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal is one of *the* ties of the FA Cup third round so there’ll surely be fans flocking to livefootballtickets to try to make it to this big game at the Emirates Stadium. Can Liverpool still threaten Arsenal’s defence without Salah in attack?
Manchester United
Why don’t Manchester United want to allow Borussia Dortmund a buy option for Jadon Sancho?
Antonio Silva has been scouted by Man Utd and Fabrizio Romano has an update on his future here.
Why did Man United decide against a deal for Timo Werner? Fabrizio Romano reveals the truth here.
Everton are trying to hijack Sevilla’s loan move for Hannibal Mejbri. Hannibal picked Sevilla over Freiburg and Lyon, but talks are still taking place with Man United and nothing is done. Everton are now also showing interest, and it’s now up to the player.
How likely is Hannibal Mejbri to end up at Everton? Fabrizio Romano explains all the key details in full here.
Marseille
Olympique Marseille are closing in on a deal with Besiktas for Jean Onana. Besiktas club sources confirm a deal is in place. It will also include a buy option clause for the 23-year-old midfielder. Talks will follow now on personal terms.
PSG
Luis Enrique confirms potential new signings for PSG in January: “Yes, it’s possible — we are always ready to improve our squad.”
Real Madrid
Positive news for Real Madrid as Eduardo Camavinga has not suffered any injury despite initial fear yesterday in Copa del Real. Carlo Ancelotti: “Camavinga has suffered a knock in his back but he’s fine. Ferland Mendy will also be back and he will play next game.”
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has confirmed Timo Werner is leaving: “He wants to go on loan, we wish him all the best. He needs to play as he wants to go to Euro 2024 and we keep our fingers crossed for him.”
Roma
Official, confirmed. Dutch defender Dean Huijsen joins AS Roma on loan from Juventus, no buy option. Jose Mourinho: “He’s one of the most talented CBs in Europe. Huijsen will become a top player one day. We can help him… but it’s only loan due to FFP, he’s Juventus player.”
Sevilla
Sevilla have now reached verbal agreement to sign 2005-born Belgian midfielder Stanis Idumbo Muzambo from Ajax. The deal is almost done, waiting on paperwork and final details. Idumbo Muzambo will travel to Sevilla for a medical early next week.
Sevilla have approached Bayer Leverkusen for Sardar Azmoun in order to understand if it’s possible to sign him and break his current AS Roma loan.
Lucien Agoume has completed medical tests as a new Sevilla player on loan from Inter. €8m buy option clause for Sevilla, Inter will have a buy back clause too.
Chelsea will proceed soon to activate the recall clause for David Datro Fofana. He’s going to leave Union Berlin while Sevilla are close to getting a deal done with Chelsea, and it’s already approved on player side.
Tottenham
Timo Werner to Tottenham, here we go! Deal in place with RB Leipzig, all documents being prepared. Spurs sign Werner on loan and will also include buy option clause NOT mandatory.
Why did Man United decide against a deal for Timo Werner? Fabrizio Romano reveals the truth here.
