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Arsenal
Julian Brandt has always been tracked by Arsenal. I’m not aware of fresh contacts at this stage, nothing new; also because Borussia Dortmund have still not decided on Brandt’s future. New attacking signings will depend on many factors, nothing is decided on summer plan yet.
Arsenal offered Moises Caicedo a huge salary in January, which is why Brighton have given him a new contract with a pay rise, but it won’t stop top clubs being there for the midfielder in the summer.
Mikel Arteta: “Saliba had instant impact. First two training sessions, we looked at him and thought: there’s huge potential here. He came in and said: I’m going to prove that I’m very good, I deserve to be here. He took out every question mark that we could have with him.”
Bayern Munich
Joao Cancelo was left on the bench for 90 minutes last night after playing just 12’ last game vs Union. Julian Nagelsmann: “Joao’s handling the situation well. I don’t have impression that he’s breaking off. Stanisic is a bit more defensive, that’s the reason.”
Borussia Dortmund
Marco Reus on his contract expiring in June: “Of course I can’t imagine myself not playing for Borussia Dortmund, in this stadium… I hope not.”
Contract talks are ongoing in order to make internal decision soon.
Julian Brandt has always been tracked by Arsenal. I’m not aware of fresh contacts at this stage, nothing new; also because Borussia Dortmund have still not decided on Brandt’s future.
Brighton
I’ve been asked a few times about Moises Caicedo surprisingly signing a new contract with Brighton, but it’s not about being persuaded; Caicedo deserved a pay rise after £70m turned down by Brighton and a huge salary from Arsenal, so it was absolutely normal to accept. I think top clubs will try again to sign him in the summer, contract extension helps Brighton for sure but there’s no release clause in the deal and it doesn’t change the situation for the summer: top clubs will be there.
Bristol City
I can’t mention the clubs at this stage but I can confirm there is interest from Premier League clubs in Alex Scott. Bristol City won’t negotiate for less than £20-25m.
Chelsea
Graham Potter: “If results aren’t good enough… then you know your job is in danger. That’s our [coaches] life. I just have to do my best, try to improve the situation until there’s a point where we’re not able to go forward — that has not been the case, we keep fighting.”
Potter: “The players fought for the win and it allows us to keep moving forward. Players with me? It needs to manifest itself in wins. Talk is cheap. The results haven’t been good enough and that is my responsibility. We have to try to improve and win.”
Inter Milan
Hakan Calhanoglu’s new deal with Inter will be valid until June 2027 and it’s almost done, just waiting to get it signed in the next weeks. Inter are also in talks with Alessandro Bastoni in order to prepare new contract proposal soon.
Liverpool
Roberto Firmino’s agent Roger Wittmann: “He told us: I don’t want to talk to any other club, he wants to give his best for Liverpool until the end. This was the first time in my life he’s a free agent player and he said there was no need to talk to others!”
Not just Roberto Firmino. There are currently no talks between Liverpool and Naby Keita over new contract and he could be next one to leave on a free, together with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Arthur Melo is also expected to leave at the end of his loan. Liverpool are not planning to trigger the buy option.
Lyon
Houssem Aouar has many proposals and possibilities for the summer. Eintracht Frankfurt want him but Aouar has not decided yet, he wants to take his time. I think he’s a very good player, and looks a good opportunity on a free.
Manchester United
Despite strong claims about Manchester United edging closer to signing Jeremie Frimpong, I’m told there’s nothing concrete on this one. Manchester United are following Frimpong, their scouts have been monitoring him since October as stated many times… but nothing else. No direct talks with agents or Bayer Leverkusen at this stage. The priority is to extend Diogo Dalot’s contract, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also improved a lot and ended up staying in January.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is still a target for Manchester United ahead of this summer (Guardian)
PSG
Kylian Mbappe becomes PSG’s all time leading goalscorer with 201 goals, surpassing Edinson Cavani. Mbappe – still only 24 years old making history as a Paris Saint-Germain player.
Mbappe: “It’s a privilege to play for Paris Saint-Germain. It’s special to be PSG player as this is my city. I’m here to write history — in France, in the capital, in my country, in my city. It’s beautiful — but I want also collective achievements. Ballon d’Or? For sure it’s a mission for me to win the Ballon d’Or one day.”
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti on Luka Modric almost being out of contract: “Modric will do what he thinks he should do, he’s talking to the club. It’s not a problem for me or for Luka. He will make the most appropriate decision. It’s not a problem.”
Wolfsburg
Dutch centre back Micky Van de Ven has now signed a new long-term deal with Wolfsburg valid until June 2027. It’s been confirmed by his agency team and a club statement.