Good morning guys and welcome to Thursday’s FREE edition of the Daily Briefing, thanks for reading and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Crazy offer needed to sign Randal Kolo Muani
The latest on Mason Mount’s future
Plus more from Liverpool, Spurs and Real Madrid
AC Milan
Mike Maignan will stay at Milan despite links as a goalkeeper target for Tottenham, who have other players on their radar as well. Click here to find out more from Ben Jacobs.
Arsenal
Arsenal announce in official statement: “Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke have become our Co-Chairs whilst Tim Lewis becomes our Executive Vice-Chair. The appointments are a recognition of how leadership structure has evolved over the past several seasons.”
Curious to know which players Arsenal are focused on signing this summer so you can prepare your bets for Arsenal matches on 10CRIC and other bookies during the transfer window? Visit caughtoffside.com.
Barcelona
📰 Barcelona manager Xavi has spoken directly with Ilkay Gundogan, whose Manchester City contract expires this summer (AS)
Brighton
Pep Guardiola: “We’ve an Italian coach in Premier League, De Zerbi… he’s changing many things in the English football. He’s producing wonderful football. People said: you can’t play the ball from defense in PL. He’s doing that, and... incredibly well.”
Champions League
Champions League quarter finalists:
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid
Benfica
Man City
Chelsea
AC Milan
Inter
Napoli
Quarter-final and semi-final draw will take place on Friday h12.00 CET — h11.00 UK time.
Chelsea
I’ve been asked about emerging links between Mason Mount and Newcastle. For now, no preference has been confirmed on player side as talks with Chelsea are in stand-by but not 100% collapsed yet. Liverpool are informed on the situation; but there are also other clubs waiting to know the conditions of the deal in case Chelsea will sell Mount in the summer.
Eintracht Frankfurt
There are many clubs appreciating Randal Kolo Muani, he’s fantastic player. I’m not aware of Manchester United bids at this stage; there are many links, one day is Harry Kane, one day Victor Osimhen, one day Dusan Vlahovic, one day Kolo Muani, one day Goncalo Ramos. It will take time, and March is not the time to submit proposals. For sure, Eintracht would only sell Randal in case of “crazy” bid, not for normal proposals.
💬 Would you want to see YOUR club pay big money for Randal Kolo Muani? Let me know in the comments!
Juventus
My current understanding on the situation at Juventus amid Dusan Vlahovic being linked with Manchester United and Chelsea - Juventus have not clarified who’s going to take care of the market as director, who’s going be the manager (or if Allegri will stay)... there are many things to decide at Juventus. So it’s way too early to mention Vlahovic’s future. For sure, Vlahovic has clubs appreciating him in the Premier League, but at the moment is not something advanced. It will depend on Juventus’ plans.
Liverpool
Liverpool are informed on Mason Mount’s situation, but his talks with Chelsea have not 100% collapsed yet. Other clubs are also monitoring Mount’s future in case he’ll be allowed to leave in the summer.
I expect both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to follow Roberto Firmino and leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer. James Milner will decide in the next months, he will speak to Jurgen Klopp too. For all the other players, it will be decided in May/June ahead of the transfer window. Firmino, Keita and Oxlade will explore options soon but nothing is decided yet.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “Napoli are maybe the best team in Europe this year, in terms of playing style… close to Arsenal.”
Julian Alvarez will sign new Manchester City deal in the next hours — it will be sealed and completed this week, as revealed on Sunday. The new contract will be valid until June 2028, with a pay rise, and Julian will stay as part of Man City project. It will be official soon.
Manchester United
There are many clubs appreciating Randal Kolo Muani, he’s fantastic player. I’m not aware of Manchester United bids at this stage; there are many links, one day is Harry Kane, one day Victor Osimhen, one day Dusan Vlahovic, one day Kolo Muani, one day Goncalo Ramos. It will take time, and March is not the time to submit proposals. For sure, Eintracht would only sell Randal in case of “crazy” bid, not for normal proposals.
Understand Manchester United are one of the clubs informed on the situation of Ajax 2004-born talent van Axel Dongen as potential free agent. Erik ten Hag knows him — Ajax have offered new deal until 2027, there’s still no full agreement.
Napoli
28 games this season, 23 goals. 4 goals in Champions League. Victor Osimhen is flying - click here to read the latest from Ben Jacobs on his future.
Official, confirmed. Stanislav Lobotka signs new long term deal with Napoli until June 2027 with option for further season. One of the crucial players for Spalletti this season has long-term future with the club.
Pep Guardiola: “Napoli are maybe the best team in Europe this year, in terms of playing style… close to Arsenal.”
💬 Can Napoli win the Champions League? Give me your predictions in the comments!
Newcastle United
I’ve been asked about emerging links between Mason Mount and Newcastle. For now, no preference has been confirmed on player side as talks with Chelsea are in stand-by but not 100% collapsed yet. Liverpool are informed on the situation; but there are also other clubs waiting to know the conditions of the deal in case Chelsea will sell Mount in the summer.
PSG
Discussions between Marquinhos and PSG over new contract are progressing to the final stages, just matter of details. Marquinhos has accepted almost all the conditions of PSG new deal, expected to be valid until June 2027.
📰 Lionel Messi has been offered a huge contract by a Saudi Arabian club if he leaves PSG this summer (Marca)
Real Madrid
Real Madrid plan has never changed: Karim Benzema will stay until June 2024 and will be part of the project for next season. It’s just matter of time with official club statement pending.
For summer plans, it always depends on the coach too and it’s now way too early to mention who’s going to be the target in that position; the main focus is on Jude Bellingham race with Liverpool and Man City.
Sunderland
Understand Edouard Michut deal has €2.5m buy option included, up to €5m if Sunderland will go up to Premier League — it was agreed with PSG last summer. I’ve been told Fulham are now among clubs following the situation of Michut ahead of summer transfer window.
Unexpected pic of the night: Ousmane Dembele in attendance for the game between Sunderland and Sheffield Utd — he’s together with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis Dreyfus.
Tottenham
On some of the names being linked as goalkeeper targets for Tottenham - my understanding is Mike Maignan will stay at Milan, David Raya will probably leave Brentford as this is the plan on player side but at this stage I’m not aware of bids or contacts with any club yet. He’d love to continue in Premier League.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
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