Good morning guys and welcome to my latest Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe to get this ad-free and straight to your inbox each day!
Ajax
Jurrien Timber on his future: “Will I stay with Ajax anyway? I’m not sure, I can’t stay that. I’m not in talks with Ajax now. My agent had a good talk a few times, but it’s not like we’re talking about anything right now…”
Arsenal
Declan Rice’s priority is to stay in England. It’s not a done deal with Arsenal yet and Bayern really like him – Thomas Tuchel has been a big fan since he was Chelsea manager, but his plan is to continue in the Premier League, and especially in London. Bayern are prepared to attack the situation, but Arsenal are ahead of all the other clubs at the moment.
Arsenal expect Reiss Nelson will sign a new long term deal this week. Agreement in principle reached on four year contract with option for further season. He was in demand, receiving bids from Italian, French and also English clubs.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are closing in on hiring Monchi as their new director as he’s expected to leave Sevilla. The deal is now at the final stages. The plan is for Monchi to work closely with Unai Emery after the attempted Mateu Alemany appointment fell through.
Barcelona
Mikayil Faye to Barcelona, deal signed — all documents are completed between Barca and NK Kustosija. The Senegalese youngster will undergo a medical this week and there’ll be an official statement soon, the deal is 100% done.
Frenkie de Jong: “I feel good at Barca, as always. If all goes to plan, I will stay at Barcelona next season. You can never say it’s 100% in football but I suppose I’ll be at Barcelona next year.”
Robert Lewandowski on Saudi clubs bid: “I don’t think about Saudi bid… because there’s nothing to think about. I’ve other priorities. I look and see what is happening [in Saudi], but it does not concern me.”
Joshua Kimmich on Barca interest: “It was difficult not to come across it [the rumours]. Generally, I’m not too invested in the rumours. I still have, as everyone knows, two years left on my contract and we have big plans [for those two years] at Bayern.”
Bayern Munich
Declan Rice’s priority is to stay in England. It’s not a done deal with Arsenal yet and Bayern really like him – Thomas Tuchel has been a big fan since he was Chelsea manager, but his plan is to continue in the Premier League, and especially in London. Bayern are prepared to attack the situation, but Arsenal are ahead of all the other clubs at the moment.
Bayern have re-scheduled the day for Raphael Guerreiro to sign his contract. It will now take place after the international break. It’s still 100% agreed and will be officially announced soon.
Joshua Kimmich on Barca interest: “It was difficult not to come across it [the rumors]. Generally, I’m not too invested in the rumors. I still have, as everyone knows, two years left on my contract and we have big plans [for those two years] at Bayern.”
Brentford
Brentford director Lee Dykes on David Raya: “We sat in front of David and said if you go beyond us, then that’s time for you to go. It’s well within his rights. £40m fee? You’ve to pay double than reported £20m because… he can play in number 10!”
Official, confirmed: Kevin Schade has signed a five-year deal with Brentford as he joins on permanent move. He’s a club-record investment at £22m.
Chelsea
Chelsea have not changed their stance on the future of Carney Chukwuemeka: there is no plan to include any buy option clause if he goes out on loan this summer, as he is considered a key part of the future project. It’s still not clear if he will go out on loan, it will depend on Mauricio Pochettino and on other outgoings in this transfer window.
Once again, there are no changes, no issues, no problems on the Christopher Nkunku deal. Chelsea originally agreed with RB Leipzig to officially announce Nkunku after his final games of the season with France (June 19). He had his medical with Chelsea all the way back in September and signed his contract in December.
Real Madrid like Kai Havertz but they will not spend €60m on him, this was made clear in the recent days. Negotiations are off for now unless Chelsea lower their price tag. The hope for Chelsea is that other clubs will join the race soon, but I have no specific names as of now, despite some recent rumours about Arsenal.
Chelsea and Inter are set to schedule a meeting in the next days, with a few players up for discussion. My understanding is that Inter will ask about Kalidou Koulibaly as a priority target. Romelu Lukaku’s future will also be a main topic; but Trevoh Chalobah for Inter, and Andre Onana for Chelsea will also be discussed.
Could this Serie A star be on his way to Chelsea? Click here to find out more!
Everton
Seamus Coleman is set to sign new contract at Everton — an agreement looks imminent as he’s prepared to stay at Goodison Park. Documents are being prepared and will be signed soon.
Inter Milan
Chelsea and Inter are set to schedule a meeting in the next days, with a few players up for discussion. My understanding is that Inter will ask about Kalidou Koulibaly as a priority target. Romelu Lukaku’s future will also be a main topic; but Trevoh Chalobah for Inter, and Andre Onana for Chelsea will also be discussed.
Liverpool
Jurrien Timber’s situation is interesting after a challenging season at Ajax. He was close to Manchester United a year ago but then they decided to go for a different strategy because it was impossible to sign two players from the same position from the same club. Let’s see if they return for him, but for now I’m hearing different names like Kim Min-jae and Axel Disasi. Liverpool, meanwhile, are understood be prioritising a left-footed centre-back. The asking price will also be important, and with Timber, Ajax have him on a long-term contract so are in control on the asking price.
Liverpool’s priority is also to strengthen in midfield, and then they’ll look at centre-back, so Timber has to be patient. He knows he has to wait and we’ll see in the next weeks what will happen, but it’s not something imminent. Liverpool also like Josko Gvardiol but they won’t do anything crazy and that one could be too expensive. The budget will be important.
There have been links with Gabri Veiga, but he’s not an alternative to someone like Khephren Thuram as they’re a different style of player. Liverpool have many players on their list, but it will depend on the opportunities on the market and the cost of the player. Thuram and also Manu Kone are in talks with Liverpool, and Veiga is an attractive option on the list, but there’s nothing more for now.
Lyon
Moussa Dembele has been approached by several clubs since becoming a free agent this summer. Understand Everton and Galatasaray are both informed on conditions of the deal for the former Lyon striker, while Saudi clubs are also keeping tabs on his situation.
Manchester City
Manchester City have an interest in Josko Gvardiol, and RB Leipzig plan to only let him go if he becomes the most expensive centre-back in the history of the game, possibly more than €100m. Leipzig have many players attracting interest, so they only want really big money for Gvardiol or else they will keep him for one more season. He extended his contract last year so he is still protected, but Man City will try as Pep Guardiola really likes the player.
Ilkay Gundogan will make a decision on his future soon. City have offered a one year extension plus the option of one more season. Barcelona are also in the race, offering him a three-year deal, while Arsenal are informed on his situation, and Saudi clubs have also been trying for him since January.
Manchester United
Jurrien Timber’s situation is interesting after a challenging season at Ajax. He was close to Manchester United a year ago but then they decided to go for a different strategy because it was impossible to sign two players from the same position from the same club. Let’s see if they return for him, but for now I’m hearing different names like Kim Min-jae and Axel Disasi. Liverpool, meanwhile, are understood be prioritising a left-footed centre-back. The asking price will also be important, and with Timber, Ajax have him on a long-term contract so are in control on the asking price.
Rasmus Hojlund: “Manchester United, huge club… I must have done something right if it says they want me. My goal is to reach the top shelf, and you can say that Manchester United is. Ten Hag? There has been no video call with him.”
Newcastle United
Newcastle have had James Maddison on their list since last summer, he’s a top target. Eddie Howe loves him. He will 100% leave Leicester this summer.
Newcastle have completed the signing of talented 2004 born winger Yankuba Minteh from Odense on a long term deal. He joins for a fee of around €7m, all documents signed and medical completed. He now moves out on loan to Feyenoord until 2024.
PSG
Huge news from last night as Kylian Mbappe has informed PSG that he will not trigger the option to extend his contract until 2025. This means he’s currently due to be out of contract next summer, when he could move for free. PSG are furious, and have no intention to lose him for free, so he either signs now or he is sold. They’re surprised by Mbappe’s timing and that this was leaked as talks were ongoing. However, PSG are understood to have a contingency plan in place for if Mbappe does leave. In terms of where he could go next, we’ll have to see as this is still a very fresh development.
PSG really want Bernardo Silva but they will have to pay big money for him. Manchester City are in no rush over his future. City know that Bernardo is probably ready for a new opportunity, but it will be on their terms. Barcelona wanted him last summer but they didn’t pay what City wanted, so he stayed.
PSV
Peter Bosz has been appointed new PSV Eindhoven coach as expected. This will also help to clarify the situation of Xavi Simons as many top clubs want him, including his former side PSG.
“I will decide my future after speaking to the manager,” Simons told me on Saturday.
English clubs are also interested in Simons, but there is nothing advanced at the moment. The feeling is that he will take his time to decide on his future, and ultimately it will be up to the player. He will talk with the new PSV manager but he’ll also want to know the situation at PSG, so it’s not something that will be resolved quickly.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are working on key, final details of Joselu deal in order to get it done in the next days. It’s up to Madrid as the deal would happen under very favourable conditions. Personal terms were agreed last week as Joselu dreams of this move.
Fran Garcia has completed his medical tests and is returning to Real Madrid in a €5m deal from Rayo Vallecano. He’s set to take the number 20 shirt.
There will be new shirt numbers as well for Vinicius Junior, who takes the 7 jersey, while Rodrygo Goes is switching to number 11.
Roma
Roma are the favourites to sign Evan Ndicka, but still waiting to sign contracts. They are offering €4m per season plus a signing-on fee, Tottenham have always been informed but Roma consider him a top, top target and that’s what makes them favourites. But until you sign, you never know with free agents.
Paulo Dybala’s agent Jorge Antun has denied contacts with Saudi clubs, saying: “Paulo did not speak to anyone, and I did not receive any calls or offers from Saudi clubs. I’m responsible for listening to clubs interested in Dybala, the player is on vacation.”
Salernitana
Salernitana will trigger €12m buy option clause for Boulaye Dia. Villarreal, already informed of the decision made days ago. There’s €25m release clause available in July for Dia to leave Salernitana but the club will try to remove it.
Toulouse
Toulouse have announced the appointment of Viktor Bezhani as their new Head of Recruitment. Former Senior Scout at Leicester City, Bezhani is already at work on new signings for Toulouse.