Today’s top stories:
Talks' progressing well between N’Golo Kante and Chelsea
Pochettino wants to return to management
European move more likely for Wilfried Zaha
Aston Villa
The Daily Mail have reported that Emi Martinez could be sold by Aston Villa in the summer. It always depends on the value of the proposals. At the moment, it is really quiet.
In general, the goalkeeper market would like a domino and it hasn’t started yet. There are a lot of rumours on Martinez, but no concrete bids or advanced talks yet.
🚨 To read my Briefings on Sunday-Wednesday and to GET 3 MONTHS FREE, subscribe now for daily transfer round-ups and exclusive columns from the biggest journalists in football 🚨
Atletico Madrid
Alex Witsel has extended his contract with Atletico Madrid until June 2024, done and sealed. The player has confirmed that the deal is signed.
Barcelona
Xavi on Lionel Messi: “Messi knows that Barcelona is his home and the doors are open, I said this many times. He’s my friend — we are in permanent contact, a potential return will only depend on him. Leo is the best player in history, he'd always fit in.”
Chelsea
Chelsea are progressing in talks with N’Golo Kante over a new contract. There’s optimism to get it done, but the length of the contract is still to be decided.
Kante’s priority has always been to stay at Chelsea as he loves the club, he loves London. Barcelona always keep an eye on free-agent players, but it was never advanced.
Kante has been out injured for most of the season - a huge miss for Chelsea.
It was never close between Romeo Lavia and Chelsea in the January transfer window. The interest was concrete in August but never close.
Southampton didn’t want to sell him. Chelsea always appreciated him but it’s important to mention that Southampton will make a decision at the end of the season, also based on their Premier League status.
📰Chelsea consider Zinedine Zidane as a perfect fit for the young players at Stamford Bridge [Football Insider]
💬Chelsea fans - who do you want to see as your next manager, if Graham Potter was to be sacked?
Inter Milan
Inter CEO: “Why Lukaku on the bench? Romelu has 103 kg to carry on his shoulders, he must be physically fit. It's not yet 100% fit, he’s getting back to the best form. We expect Romelu to do great things in the second part of the season.”
Lecce
Lecce president Sticchi Damiani: “We have turned down an important bid for Morten Hjulmand in January — it was around €13m.”
The proposal was from Southampton but Lecce wanted at least €20m.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “I saw the players, they were heads down. I said: why are your heads down, be heads up, it was really good the way you play. Haaland? He’s 100% adapted to Man City. We need to find him more in the game, and get the passes to him.”
Manchester United
Marcel Sabitzer’s agent: “He loves the Premier League. At Man United, we see Marcel from Leipzig again. I'm very happy for him. What’s next in summer? We’ll see when the time comes.”
📰Manchester United target Jordan Pickford is close to signing a new contract with Everton [The Times]
💬Should Manchester United be looking to sign Marcel Sabitzer on a permanent deal?
Mauricio Pochettino
I’m not aware of any contact between Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino. Chelsea were in contact with Pochettino last year when they sacked Thomas Tuchel, but i’m not aware of any fresh contact right now.
Pochettino wants to return to management and is open to all the options.
Pochettino has been unemployed since being sacked by PSG.
Napoli
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli: “Khvicha’s a fantastic player and we want to keep him, it’s not even the case to mention a specific price tag to sell him. In this moment, Kvaratskhelia is not for sale. The market hasn’t even started.”
Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund has been linked with a move to Arsenal by various outlets. I’m not sure he’s going to leave Atalanta in 2023. I don’t see Arsenal as an option for Hojlund. They have Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun.
For sure, Hojlund wants to play, not be on the bench. I’m told he could stay at Atalanta for one more year.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig are one of the clubs showing an interest in Lille striker Jonathan David. He’s a top target due to his versatility. Leipzig are looking at solutions internally, but it’s difficult as David won’t be cheap.
David is top goalscorer in Ligue 1, with 15 goals in 23 games.
Marco Rose: “Joško Gvardiol will be a RB Leipzig player next season as well. I am the coach and I am asking for that. He is happy here. He said he wants to play in the Premier League, but he didn’t say when!”
Real Madrid
Nacho Fernandez: “Real told me that if I want, I can renew. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I felt very bad at the beginning of the season. I will make a personal decision on my future, it’s about my family too.”
Toni Kroos has not changed his plans. The idea has always been to retire at Real Madrid as he loves the club.
The final decision will be whether to stay for at least one more year or retire from football.
Real Madrid are waiting and prepared to offer him a new deal.
Wilfried Zaha
I’m sure a European move is more likely for Wilfried Zaha during the summer transfer window. Zaha is set to be out of contract at the end of the season.
Al Nassr are exploring many options in Europe to improve their squad, but Zaha has not made any decision as of yet.
Crystal Palace are waiting for his communication.
🚨 the Daily Briefing - Hojlund to Arsenal? Kante's contract, Zaha's future, and more [FREE]