🚨 World Cup BEGINS! Liverpool star available for cut-price deal, PL midfielder speaking with Man Utd players, surprise Lewandowski links, & more
Today's round-up, featuring transfer news and England's final World Cup warm-up game.
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing! Thank you for reading, and hope you enjoy today’s post! :-)
Today’s top stories:
England beat Costa Rica in final pre-World Cup friendly
England ended their World Cup warm-up with a strong performance as they beat Costa Rica 3-0 in a friendly.
Declan Rice opened the scoring for England early on, but his Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke missed an absolute sitter later in the first half, doing everything right after going round the ‘keeper, only to put it wide with the goal gaping.
Anthony Gordon made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, while Ollie Watkins showed his typical poacher’s instincts with a close range third.
FT England 3-0 Costa Rica [Pictures from ITV Sport]
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Arsenal
Arsenal are set to appoint Arnaldo Abrantes as their new doctor following the sudden departure of Dr Zafar Iqbal. (David Ornstein, the Athletic)
Arsenal are interested in Barcelona attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, with some contact already taking place as the Spain international weighs up trying a new challenge. (Fichajes)
Barcelona
Barcelona have decided not to activate Marcus Rashford’s clause, with the player now set to return to Manchester United, though the Catalan giants would be open to another loan move. (Fabrizio Romano)
Barcelona are in pole position to sign Alex Remiro as their new backup goalkeeper. (Sport)
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have won the race to sign Hertha Berlin wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn ahead of the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, with the 16-year-old midfielder choosing to continue his development in Germany. (Florian Plettenberg)
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are closing in on the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, who is set to join for just under €65m, despite Arsenal and Manchester City having also been interested. (Christian Falk, CF Bayern Insider)
Bournemouth
Bournemouth value Alex Scott at £80m this summer and are hoping to tie him down to a new contract amid interest from bigger clubs. (Ben Jacobs)
Chelsea
Liam Delap could leave Chelsea this summer, with Fulham a likely destination for him if his former Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna ends up taking the job at Craven Cottage. (Simon Phillips)
Chelsea plan to make at least two signings this summer who would join with the view of making an impact straight away, rather than being for the future - full story here!
Dani Olmo is a potential target for Chelsea as Barcelona could let him go for around €70m this summer, though the Blues would face competition from Arsenal. (Fichajes)
Juventus
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has reached a verbal agreement over a transfer to Juventus. (Football Italia)
Leeds United
Leeds United are eyeing an ambitious move for €50m-rated Sporting Lisbon central defender Ousmane Diomande, with other Premier League clubs also set to watch him at the World Cup. (225foot)
Liverpool
Liverpool are open to selling Federico Chiesa for around €20m this summer, with Napoli and Como showing the strongest interest in him at the moment as he looks to return to Serie A. (Mark Brus, the Daily Briefing)
Liverpool face paying £80m to land one of Andoni Iraola’s top targets - full details here!
Liverpool have been in contact over signing this Premier League defender - more info here!
Manchester City
Pedro Porro is one of the right-backs on Manchester City’s list of targets for that position this summer amid some doubt over the Spaniard’s future at Tottenham. (The Athletic)
Manchester United
Manchester United are looking for a profile like Robert Lewandowski, but there are concerns over the ex-Barcelona striker’s wage demands. (Simon Stone, BBC Sport)
Manchester United are interested in Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, but he has three years left on his contract and a transfer currently looks unlikely for this summer. (Sky Sports)
Lewis Hall is keen on a transfer to Manchester United after positive contacts were established with the Newcastle left-back. (TEAMtalk)
Carlos Baleba has spoken with Manchester United players about a move to Old Trafford after long being linked with the Red Devils. (Sun)
Manchester United are reportedly plotting a surprise raid on rivals Liverpool for this highly-rated youngster - full story here!
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are interested in signing 23-year-old French midfielder Arthur Atta from Udinese this summer. (Messaggero Veneto)
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior is reportedly ready to run down his Real Madrid contract and leave the club as a free agent in the summer of 2027. (AS)
Real Madrid’s talented young forward Gonzalo Garcia is attracting interest from Serie A side Como this summer. (the Athletic)
Tottenham
Pedro Porro is one of the right-backs on Manchester City’s list of targets for that position this summer amid some doubt over the Spaniard’s future at Tottenham. (The Athletic)
Tottenham’s move to appoint Sebastian Kehl as their new sporting director has now collapsed. (Bild)