Good morning! Welcome to today’s Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe and get this and more exclusive content ad-free and straight to your inbox!
AC Milan
AC Milan director Paolo Maldini: “Rafael Leao will sign a new deal very soon, it’s 100% guaranteed. Final details will be completed in some days.”
Leao has already signed a new deal valid until June 2028.
Arsenal
Granit Xhaka is set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season. There will be no negotiations over a new deal as both parties plan to part ways in June. Bayer Leverkusen are now in very advanced talks to sign him for a €15m fee. Personal terms are almost agreed over a four-year deal running until June 2027.
The reality is that negotiations between Xhaka and Arsenal never really got started, and now the idea is clear, to part ways at the end of the season. German clubs like to do their business fast, not in August, and Leverkusen are now in advanced talks over Xhaka, having already confirmed a deal for Alejandro Grimaldo. It’s a good opportunity for Xhaka to get a long-term contract and to be a leader of the Leverkusen project.
Arsenal look set to have a big summer, and are following a number of defenders such as Mohamed Simakan and Edmond Tapsoba. And with Xhaka leaving, they are also working on signing a midfielder. Declan Rice has always been a top target and he remains their priority. There have been conversations between Arsenal and Rice, while Mikel Arteta and Edu were already discussing him internally back in January. Arsenal now plan to prepare an official bid for the West Ham star in the next few weeks, but this won’t be easy because the Hammers are focusing on the Europa Conference League. It’s not imminent, because West Ham don’t want to negotiate until June, but it’s been clear since last summer that Rice would not sign a new deal with his current club. Arsenal will be there, it’s their priority, they want to try to bid for him soon.
Arsenal won’t be alone in pursuing Rice, because there’s also interest from Chelsea, while Manchester United also need a new midfielder and are keeping an eye on the situation.
Huge news for United States confirmed yesterday: Arsenal star Folarin Balogun has finally decided to represent USMNT — he will switch allegiance to USA. Balogun took his time but the decision has been made. Despite 13 appearances and seven goals with England Under-21s, the 21-year-old, who was born in New York, will no longer represent England and will make himself available for the USA.
Arsenal could join Barcelona in the race to sign Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer (Sport Bild)
Barcelona
Pedri on Lionel Messi‘s return to Barcelona: “I see rumours on Messi everywhere… but well, I’d really like Leo’s return to Barca. Of course it depends on the club and on Leo, but… I hope that it will happen.”
Official: Jordi Cruyff will step down as sporting director of Barcelona at the end of the season.
Barcelona are now closing in on deal to appoint Deco as new director of the club after Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff left the club. Talks are very advanced and Deco has already accepted 90% of the details of the agreement; waiting to fix situation with his agency.
Which big names could be joining Sergio Busquets in Saudi Arabia? Their government have as many as 20 players on their list – click here to find out more!
Bournemouth
Bournemouth now confirm permanent signing of Hamed Traore from Serie A side Sassuolo. Deal completed for €30m fee add ons included — Traore is now contracted to the Cherries until June 2028.
Brentford
Mark Flekken will replace David Raya this summer. The deal is set to be completed; Brentford are prepared to seal agreement on personal terms on five year contract. Brentford will trigger €13m release clause from Freiburg at the end of the season.
Chelsea
Chelsea remain interested in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, but Arsenal are hoping to make a bid for him in the coming weeks. The complication for now is that West Ham don’t want to negotiate yet, they prefer to wait until June so that they can focus on the Europa Conference League.
Could N’Golo Kante be set for a surprise move away from Europe this summer? Click here to find out the latest interest in the Blues midfielder!
Inter Milan
It’s just a matter of time for the official announcement of Hakan Calhanoglu’s new contract at Inter. New deal will be valid until June 2027, official soon — as reported in March.
Juventus
Alex Sandro is set to extend his contract at Juventus until June 2024 — one more season as clause has been activated. The objectives/appearances have been completed and the extension is gonna be official soon.
Leicester City
Youri Tielemans will leave Leicester as free agent, there have been no doubts on this since last summer. There are multiple proposals on the table but nothing agreed yet. The Belgian midfielder is fully focused on the final games of the season then he will assess his options and decide his next club.
Liverpool
Liverpool feel positive following Alexis Mac Allister transfer talks on the player side, with the Brighton and Argentina midfielder emerging as one of the Reds’ top targets in that position, while Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch are also liked at Anfield.
Could Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane be reunited at this surprise club next season? Click here for full details!
Manchester United
Manchester United have a strong interest in Kim Min-jae, they consider him a huge talent. However, at this moment they cannot trigger his €47m release clause, because this clause is only valid in early July, not now. They like the player and there are conversations happening, but it’s not a done deal because of the release clause situation. Newcastle have also sent their scouts to watch Kim but they know that Man Utd have been working on this deal for some time. Napoli will also try to offer the South Korean centre-back a new deal with a higher release clause, so let’s see what happens.
Phil Jones will leave Manchester United at the end of the current season, decision confirmed. The club will release the centre back on free transfer. Both Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe will be on the market as free agents and looking for new opportunities.
Sheikh Jassim has now made another increased bid — as always, it’s for 100% of Manchester United, will clear all debt and includes a separate fund directed solely at the club and community. Sources guarantee this is significant increase over the initial proposal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also cautiously optimistic about seeing his offer accepted – click here to find out more.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are already preparing the official bid for Jude Bellingham. After personal terms on a long term deal were agreed two weeks ago, a proposal will be sent to BVB and it will include add-ons. The timing of the deal also depends on the Bundesliga title race; Real will be respectful with Dortmund.
Marco Asensio’s priority has always been to extend the contract and stay at Real Madrid. There’s interest from English and Italian clubs on free move but he hopes to stay. Talks over new deal are progressing, it’s not done yet but discussions will continue.
Sporting Lisbon
Jorge Mendes is taking care of Manuel Ugarte’s future. Talks will continue with Premier League clubs ahead of summer move, very concrete possibility. There’s interest from three Premier League clubs but no agreement with any team yet. The race is open. Release clause: €60m.
Are Liverpool one of the teams in the race for Ugarte this summer? Click here to find out in Ben Jacobs’ exclusive column!
Tottenham
Tottenham already exploring multiple options for new goalkeeper — David Raya of Brentford is one of the names on their list, but the final decision will be made together with the club’s new director. Hugo Lloris is expected to leave at the end of current season.
Arne Slot is one of five main candidates for the Tottenham manager job, but keep an eye on this surprise name of a recently-sacked Premier League boss – read more here!
The representatives of Tottenham striker Harry Kane have held talks with Paris Saint-Germain chief Luis Campos (Foot Mercato)
Toulouse
Toulouse are closing in on a deal to sign Spanish talented midfielder Cesar Gelabert on free transfer — done and set to be sealed. Gelabert will sign a four-year deal. He had two offers from Spanish clubs but chose Toulouse because of the project being built.
Valencia
Official: Talented young Spanish midfielder Javi Guerra signs new deal with Valencia, it’s done and valid until June 2027, and includes a €100m release clause.