Good morning guys! I hope you’re having a good weekend. Start your Sunday just right with the latest exclusive transfer news in my Daily Briefing – and click here to subscribe for this and more from my fellow columnists Christian Falk, Ben Jacobs and Jonathan Johnson straight to your inbox!
AC Milan
AC Milan’s plan on Rafael Leao is very clear. A new long term contract is set to be agreed as soon as possible, the club are pushing to get it done. The agreement is getting closer, we’re just waiting on the next crucial steps of the deal.
Ajax
Jurrien Timber: “My transfer is getting closer. There is a lot of specific interest for the summer. Last summer, Ajax asked me to renew my contract and to stay for one more season. Out of love for the club, I did this.”
Arsenal
Despite some speculation over his future, I’m sure Arsenal trust Emile Smith Rowe for present and future. Mikel Arteta and people in the board always trusted Emile. He’s not playing much at the moment, but it is also fair to say that he returned after an injury and the starting XI is very clear this season, so it’s not easy to break into the team in these conditions. I’m sure parties will speak at the end of the season to decide on the next steps, but Arsenal trust Emile, for sure.
I’ve been asked by a few fans about Arsenal interest in Ryan Gravenberch – the main problem for the Dutch midfielder remains Bayern. They want to keep Ryan, they are very clear and strong on this position. There will be a meeting in May to discuss the situation and then we will know more on that.
Michal Rosiak has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal — the 17-year-old right-back agreed terms yesterday.
He said: “Signing my first professional contract for Arsenal means everything to me, it’s pretty amazing. Playing for the club I’ve always loved and watched growing up.”
Aston Villa
Barcelona
What’s going on with Ansu Fati? Xavi: “We’re at Barca. It’s normal to have competition. In this moment, I see that Ferran Torres and Raphinha feel a little better. They are competing and the one who decides is the coach. Ansu has played and has been important.”
Barcelona are optimistic to get a new deal agreed soon for Lamine Yamal – the highly regarded 15-year-old has just made his debut for the Barca first-team, becoming their youngest ever player. Discussions ongoing with his new agent Jorge Mendes.
Xavi: “Lamine Yamal did very well. I told him to try things and he has done so. At 15 years old, imagine…He was almost able to score. He is a special player, he has self-confidence, he can be important, you realize it in training.”
Barcelona director Mateu Alemany: “It’s gonna be an interesting summer, I can tell you that…”
Bayern Munich
Despite rumours, I’m not aware of any contact between Sadio Mane and Chelsea at this stage. Chelsea have many wingers, their priorities are on different positions including new number 6 and new striker. Let’s see what will happen with the new coach, but for Mane decision time will not be now.
The main problem for Ryan Gravenberch remains Bayern. They want to keep Ryan, they are very clear and strong on this position. There will be a meeting in May to discuss the situation and then we will know more on that.
Eintracht Frankfurt are aware of Bayern Munich’s interest in Randal Kolo Muani. Eintracht won’t accept €60-70m for Kolo Muani as they hope to keep him for one more year and sell after Euro 2024. Crazy bid or no chance.
From Christian Falk’s column: Could Kylian Mbappe get involved in Randal Kolo Muani’s future?
Brighton
Joao Pedro has already signed his contract as new Brighton player. Medical completed two days ago. The deal is done since Thursday; never been in doubt. An official statement is ready for Brazilian talent to join from Watford for £30m.
Roberto de Zerbi on Kaoru Mitoma’s future: “He needs to stay here one more year, for him and for us. I want Joel Veltman to stay with us next season, because it is not only for me but for the rest of the club too”.
Celta Vigo
It is my understanding that highly-rated young Spanish talent and Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga has now decided to sign with super agent Pini Zahavi. Crucial step to decide his future soon. Top clubs in Spain and England are keen on signing Gabri Veiga in the summer — he has a €40m release clause.
Chelsea
Despite rumours, I’m not aware of any contact between Sadio Mane and Chelsea at this stage. Chelsea have many wingers, their priorities are on different positions including new number 6 and new striker. Let’s see what will happen with the new coach, but for Mane decision time will not be now.
Christopher Nkunku got back to scoring for RB Leipzig today after a long injury layoff. Chelsea are following his development as Nkunku will be announced as a new Chelsea player in the next months. Nkunku and Malo Gusto will be the first signings for the 2023/2024 season.
Could Mateo Kovacic leave Chelsea for a surprise move? Click here to find out more!
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt are aware of FC Bayern interest in Randal Kolo Muani; PL clubs are also tracking the French striker. Eintracht won’t accept €60/70m for Kolo Muani as they hope to keep him for one more year and sell after Euro 2024. Crazy bid or no chance.
Getafe
Official. Jose Bordalas returns to Getafe as new head coach, agreement reached yesterday and signed today.
Manchester City
Keep an eye on Aymeric Laporte’s situation at Manchester City. For now the club don’t want any distractions from the transfer market as they focus on the treble. But there are chances for Laporte to leave City in the summer. He will explore his options because he wants to play regularly and his biggest dream is to play for Barcelona. Still, Barca have issues with Financial Fair Play so it won’t be easy to go for Laporte. He will also be a possibility for other clubs but he will explore his options at the end of the season. For now he will give his best for the club and then he will consider his future.
Understand Manchester City are in talks with AFC Wimbledon to sign the highly rated young goalkeeper Thorsten Brits.
An England U16 international, “Spike” Brits is considered a huge talent — understand Manchester City are currently the favourites to sign him.
Manchester United
The feeling of those close to the process of the Manchester United sale is that the amount of the proposal from Sir Jim Ratcliffe is bigger than the Qatari proposal from Sheikh Jassim. But it’s also important to say that those close to Sheikh Jassim are confident that he remains in the race. Nothing is decided yet and the next hours will not be crucial, it could take a few more days to see what will be happening. Let’s see who will be the preferred bidder.
Jurrien Timber’s situation will be clarified soon in the market and not late August as for Antony last year. Timber wants to try a new experience, that’s why he signed a short term deal last summer. English and German clubs are interested; for United, it still depends on how much they want to invest in that position as a new striker is their priority for now.
I don’t have confirmation of any advanced or concrete situation for Dominik Livakovic at this stage, despite some questions about links with Manchester United. He wants a top league move in the summer for sure but the goalkeepers domino has not started yet.
Erik ten Hag: “Big compliment to Bruno Fernandes. I think he is the example that you have to suffer, that you have to sacrifice, when you want to play at the top level.”
Marseille
Real Madrid
It is possible that Real Madrid will sell another important player this summer in the form of Ferland Mendy. It is not guaranteed yet but it is a possibility that has been discussed internally at Real Madrid. If they receive a good enough offer they could be ready to consider a sale.
Real Madrid will pay just €5m to have Fran Garcia back as another option at left-back, and this is why Mendy’s future is uncertain – keep an eye on interest from Premier League clubs.
Tottenham
Tottenham have Julian Nagelsmann in their list alongside other candidates, for sure; but nothing is advanced or decided yet. Daniel Levy will take his time to make final decision, the board/directors situation also has to be clarified after Fabio Paratici resigned; this is a crucial step to decide on the new manager. Nagelsmann is not in a hurry to decide his future.
One club’s sporting director has been in touch with the representatives of Harry Kane – click here to find out more!