Good morning guys and welcome to another Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe to get this ad-free and straight to your inbox five mornings a week!
AC Milan
Rafael Leao is performing at an incredible level again this season. AC Milan are insisting and pushing in the last few days for him to sign a new long-term contract as soon as possible. They want this done fast and they have made an important offer. Leao is 100% focused on the pitch for key moment in Champions League and also Serie A. At the end of the season he will discuss the final details of his contract extension, so we’ll see then. This fantastic player was on Chelsea’s list but it’s now quiet on that front since they signed Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Arsenal
Pedro Neto was on Arsenal’s list last summer and Arsenal usually (I mean in general) always keep following players they appreciate, let’s see if they will return; at this stage nothing concrete is happening yet, despite rumours.
I think tonight’s big game will be a title decider, too important for both also the impact of the result and not just the result itself. Two of the most important players will obviously be Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka; I think midfielders will be absolutely crucial as well, especially Thomas Partey and Rodri, their work will be so important in this kind of game and I can’t wait to see how this one pans out – it has the potential to be a classic.
Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda on Arsenal interest: “I like Arteta a lot because I think he’s a great coach. I follow the European leagues, I think the work Arteta is doing with his club is fantastic.”
Mikel Arteta was not able to provide a positive update on William Saliba ahead of the Manchester City game, saying: “There’s not been real improvement on him. No news unfortunately. We are still waiting. We are still hopeful but obviously, it’s another week that has gone by and he hasn’t been able to train with the team.”
Pep Guardiola: “I remember Odegaard, years ago… he came with his father for 2 days of training sessions [in 2014]. I needed 5 minutes to think: this kid plays good! He’s great player, really. Exceptional.”
Arsenal remain interested in Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, but how does Alexis Mac Allister fit into all this? Click here to find out more from guest columnist Ben Jacobs!
Atalanta
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini admits there is interest in Rasmus Hojlund: “I haven’t seen so many strikers as good as Hojlund at 20. He can improve a lot, he’s great. Top European clubs are always attentive to this kind of top talents. There could be some huge bid for him that would be impossible to reject for us.”
Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski signs with CAA Sports agency on deal for commercial representation. He has not changed his sportive agent who remains Pini Zahavi.
Bayern Munich
Ryan Gravenberch: “Training and playing at the top level for a year is instructive but it has to change next season — I really want to play week in week out again. I haven’t spoken to the board yet. But it’s clear that this role does not match my expectations.”
Brighton
Official, confirmed. Evan Ferguson has signed a new long term deal with Brighton valid until June 2028.
Roberto De Zerbi: “This is an excellent news for us. The aim is to help Evan become one of the strongest strikers in Europe”.
Clubs were monitoring Ferguson, of course, he’s a super young talent and it’s normal to follow his steps; this will continue not just with Manchester United or Chelsea but with many clubs. But Brighton have been smart and fast, excellent again to extend the contract and keep the player at the club.
Chelsea
I can’t predict the timing on the Mauricio Pochettino deal being finalised, this depends on Chelsea, but it’s really close now. The conversation is progressing very well and it’s at final stages, so really close.
For targets, it’s still early to mention names but for sure Chelsea will go for new number 6, new striker and the rest will be discussed in the next weeks, including Mason Mount situation.
There are still many rumours about Romelu Lukaku’s future. Reminder: the Belgian striker is on loan at Inter Milan until the end of the season, with no buy option, it is a straight loan deal until the end of the current campaign. From what I understand, Inter are still waiting to decide, they don’t know who’s going to be their coach next season, and this will be a crucial point to decide on Lukaku. They also want to know the player’s position – he wants to know who will be the new coach and if the new coach would trust him as part of their project. There will be talks between Chelsea and Inter at the end of May/beginning of June, so that will be the crucial moment, not now. It will also be important to see who will be Chelsea’s new coach (probably Mauricio Pochettino) and their decision on Lukaku.
Frank Lampard confirms major Chelsea injury blow for Reece James and Mason Mount: “He will probably unavailable for the rest of season. Mason Mount the same, potential for last game of the season.”
Lampard on Mount’s future: “New deal for him? Not my opinion. It will be the opinion of the club and the opinion of Mason, so that’s between them. There’s no doubt, he’s top-class player. Trust me, it’s not easy to play with top players around and he’s managed to do that.”
What were Julian Nagelsmann’s concerns about the Chelsea job? Click here to find out more in Ben Jacobs’ exclusive report!
Juventus
Adrien Rabiot will decide his future at the end of the season. Juventus are pushing for him to sign a new contract, they want Rabiot to stay but it’s the player who has to decide… and he will wait May/June to make a decision. He loves the Premier League, he’d love to try an experience there; but it’s still not something concrete, it will take some more weeks.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool are set to appoint new sporting director: “I’m in the talks. From what I hear, it’s going in the right direction. It makes sense [to have a director]. I’m happy with the structure, and the guy or lady we get will be absolutely right.”
Manchester City
I think tonight’s big game will be a title decider, too important for both also the impact of the result and not just the result itself. Two of the most important players will obviously be Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka; I think midfielders will be absolutely crucial as well, especially Thomas Partey and Rodri, their work will be so important in this kind of game and I can’t wait to see how this one pans out – it has the potential to be a classic.
Pep Guardiola: “Zinchenko and Jesus sold to Arsenal? The club made the decisions they believe. Everyone agreed. Players wanted to leave, the club wanted to sell, and the club wanted to buy. They’re happy and we’re happy. No regrets.”
Pep Guardiola: “Nathan Ake won’t be available vs Arsenal. Hopefully he can come back soon. Back vs Real Madrid? I don’t know… We will find the right player to do it, I don’t have doubts. We’ll play with 11.”
Manchester United
We know some important days are coming up for Manchester United and the Glazers. They are waiting for a new round of bids, and the intention of Sheikh Jassim of Qatar is to bid again for the club. We will see the value of the bid and what the Glazers decide about that. Sheikh Jassim has big plans for the stadium, for the academy, it could be a big project, but we’ll have to wait to see what happens in the next few days and what will be the position of the Glazers.
What’s the latest on Man Utd’s pursuit of Harry Kane? Ben Jacobs has a major exclusive update – click here to find out more.
Could the Red Devils sign a new goalkeeper even if David de Gea stays? Click here for more exclusive info!
Real Betis
Understand Real Betis have now finally sealed the agreement with former Barca director Ramon Planes. He’s going to be unveiled as their new director — done deal, confirmed. After long talks, Planes will be appointed with the club statement expected in the next days.
Sevilla
Youssef En-Nesyri continues to impress for Sevilla and he’s someone who’s attracted links with Premier League clubs in the past. My understanding at the moment is that it’s still quiet, nothing is happening around En-Nesyri. He was close to West Ham move in the past, yes, but not to other UK clubs.
Sheffield United
Many clubs are following the progress of Sheffield United talent Iliman Ndiaye, who is expected to get big move in the summer. Everton are interested in Ndiaye, Italian clubs are well informed on his situation too.
Tottenham
Tottenham players will reimburse the fans who travelled to St James’ Park for the 6-1 defeat against Newcastle, as revealed in statement below:
Tottenham have also unveiled Ryan Mason’s coaching staff until end of the season:
Matt Wells (Acting Assistant Head Coach), Nigel Gibbs (Acting First Team Coach) plus Perry Suckling (First Team Goalkeeping Coach), Gianni Vio (Set Pieces Coach), who continue their existing roles.