Good morning guys, and welcome to today’s edition of my Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe and get this in your inbox five mornings a week!
Arsenal
Despite reports to the contrary, I’m not aware of second Arsenal bid for Moises Caicedo submitted on Saturday, let’s see on Sunday what happens. The last bid was the one I mentioned on Friday: £60m, rejected.
Brighton insist they want to keep Caicedo, so it’s not an easy one. Arsenal are pushing on Caicedo deal also on player side, Chelsea already had conversations on player side but their last bid was £55m ten days ago; rejected too.
Arsenal will continue to pursue West Ham midfielder Declan Rice even if they sign Moises Caicedo this January (Telegraph)
Aston Villa
Understand Ludwig Augustinsson’s loan to Aston Villa will be terminated as he will join Mallorca on loan until the end of the season. An agreement has been reached and it’s set to be done.
Borussia Dortmund
As Christian Falk hinted at in his column – here – of course Borussia Dortmund would love Jude Bellingham to stay, it’s normal; but I keep my feeling speaking to sources of Bellingham expected to leave in the summer. There are too many top clubs keen on signing him, so it’s going to be more than difficult for BVB to keep him.
Celtic
Atlanta United are now trying to hijack Urawa Red Diamonds deal for Giorgos Giakoumakis: understand new $4.7m proposal has been accepted by Celtic. Personal terms still under discussion but Atlanta have now DP spot and want to get it done.
Chelsea
Understand Malo Gusto has completed medical tests as new Chelsea player, after landing in London early yesterday morning. Contract until June 2029 — Chelsea will pay a fee close to €30m but Malo Gusto will only move to Stamford Bridge in July, staying at Lyon until end of the season.
Chelsea had a bid for Moises Caicedo rejected ten days ago. Arsenal are pushing, but I’m not aware of a second bid from them yet. It’s an open race, a crazy situation, so let’s see what will happen before Deadline Day.
Chelsea wanted Anthony Gordon in the summer but did not return with an approach for him this January – he’s now on the brink of leaving Everton for Newcastle. It will be official soon.
Espanyol
Denis Suarez, set to join Espanyol from Celta Vigo on deal valid until the end of the season. And then, Denis Suarez has already an agreement in place with Villarreal until 2026 to join them in June.
Everton
Everton have all contracts signed with Sean Dyche. The former Burnley boss is set to be unveiled as the new head coach to replace Frank Lampard – it will be official soon. Dyche will become new Toffees manager on a two year and half contract, as expected.
Fulham
Fulham submitted new bid on Friday for Fluminense midfielder Andre. The offer is a loan with obligation to buy clause for €20m total package — personal terms have been sent to the agent. Andre’s agents are already in UK, with talks set to continue with Fluminense.
Leeds United
Weston McKennie to Leeds, here we go! Understand Leeds will pay €1.2m loan fee — deal will include buy option clause for €33m plus add ons. Leeds president Radrizzani unlocked the deal with Juventus in the night. McKennie has agreed personal terms with Leeds and he’ll now travel to England for his medical in the next 24 hours.
As Ben Jacobs explained earlier in the week, Jesse Marsch was key to this deal due to his desire to partner McKennie with Tyler Adams – click here to find out more.
Leicester City
Tete is now set to sign the contract as new Leicester player — it will be valid until the end of the season. A deal was agreed on Friday, medical tests have now been completed, and there’ll be an official statement soon.
Lyon
Olympique Lyon are closing in on deal to sign Amin Sarr from Heerenveen as new striker on permanent move. Talks are at final stages on €12/13m fee as sources in France confirm. Personal terms almost agreed.
Official, completed. Romain Faivre has left Olympique Lyon to join Lorient on loan deal until the end of the season.
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag on new signings: “I’ve an idea. But in the coming days, if I had the opportunity in the comings days, then I would go for it but this is not only up to me. I think at this club, everyday, that has to be the approach.”
Manchester United were considering signing a new right-back this January, but then they decided to continue with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, this was one of the possible changes. Ten Hag is also keeping an eye on midfielders for present and future but as he said, on the budget side it’s not up to him.
Marseille
Olympique Marseille have scheduled medical tests for Azzedine Ounahi on Sunday morning — after deal sealed for €8m fee plus €2m, contract 2027. Ounahi is now traveling to Marseille with his agent former CB Benatia to be in the stands for OM-Monaco game.
Newcastle United
It’s already signed, Anthony Gordon will be unveiled as Newcastle player in the next hours. The fee is £40m plus £5m add ons accepted by Everton, five year deal for Gordon.
Chelsea wanted the player in August; they have not returned with any approach or bid in January.
Nottingham Forest
Keylor Navas has accepted the idea of joining Nottingham Forest already two days ago, he’d be open to the move. Paris Saint-Germain, expected to make decision soon — it’s up to them as PSG would pay main part of the salary.
PSG
Milan Skriniar has already signed as Paris Saint-Germain player — it’s 100% done for June 2023 on a free transfer, here we go. Paris Saint-Germain have submitted an opening bid to anticipate Skriniar deal in January but Inter want €20m fee. Talks will continue soon, let’s see if they can reach an agreement to sign him earlier. Manchester United and Tottenham were never close to signing Skriniar.
Not just Skriniar – Paris Saint-Germain will also hold new round of talks to discuss conditions of Malcom deal with Zenit. Malcom is keen on the move — but no official bid yet.
Roma
Jose Mourinho: “I wanted to sign Kim Min-jae when I was at Tottenham. I had some FaceTime calls with him — our bid was €5m, Fenerbahce wanted €10m for Kim and for Tottenham that wasn’t possible at that point. Now look at Kim and his level, he’s a top player.”
Mourinho on Nicolo Zaniolo: “It seems I was right on the Nicolo Zaniolo situation — so I see him staying. I want players who are happy at Roma but he’s asking to leave the club for months.”
Tottenham
Tottenham reach full verbal agreement with Sporting to sign Pedro Porro, here we go! It will be sealed in the next 24h, if all goes to plan. Pedro Porro said his goodbyes to Sporting tonight and will then sign with Spurs until 2028.
Villarreal
Ben Brereton Diaz has full agreement to join Villarreal in June as free agent — deal sealed and completed. Premier League clubs were tracking him too but Brereton will join Villarreal.