Transfer news LIVE: Gundogan returns to Man City, Villa want Sterling and Trippier could leave Newcastle

Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth says that Mikel Merino is close to joining Arsenal though there is still a bit of work needed before the transfer is complete.

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Aguacil has said goodbye to Merino in his news conference on Friday.

Aguacil said: “I said ‘thank you very much’ to Mikel. As Real coach, I want this type of farewell. He came at the age of 22, without making it, he has had six incredible years, with a brutal performance, a cup and five participations in Europe, he has left money, thirty-odd million, he feels Real and he has gone to Arsenal”.

Merino still needs to have a medical and sign off on the personal terms. The deal is worth £32.5m including performance related add-ons.

Ivan Toney’s future at Brentford remains unclear according to manager Thomas Frank.

Frank declined to provide an update on transfer negotiations with one week left in the window and insisted Toney could be involved in Sunday’s trip to Liverpool despite interest from Saudi Arabia

When asked if the 28-year-old will be in action at Anfield, Frank replied: “Who knows? Let’s see on Sunday what will happen. Ivan trained the whole week. Trained with good attitude in every aspect. He could be involved, he could not be involved.

“He could be here after the 30th and he could not be here. Basically everything is up in the air. I’ve said the whole time that if he’s here I’m very happy, if he’s not here then I’m happy on his behalf.”

Arne Slot was asked about the impact of Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool’s squad and he had nothing but praise for the Reds’ captain. He said: “Virgil came in three weeks ago (after his delayed summer break) and in my opinion he made a lot of impact when he came back,

“He made a lot of impact in all these years and he played here but me working with him he has shown how much he cares about the team and how good he is.

“But for him, and the same with Mo (Salah) and all the others, they still have to bring their performances in, so in my opinion there are four players having competition for two positions.

“But at this moment it is clear Virgil is playing and he will also play on Sunday if he is fit.”

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has offered Joe Gomez a lifeline regarding his future at the club after admitting he expects all his current squad to remain with him this season.

Speculation about the versatile defender began in June when he was linked with Newcastle and that intensified when he was left out of Slot’s first matchday squad for last weekend’s win at Ipswich.

Asked where Gomez’s head was after being left out last week, Slot said: “It has been in the right place for three weeks. He has worked really hard since he came back.

“He didn’t play a lot in the Euros and when he came back in the first sessions he couldn’t train the whole session so we had to manage his load and that was also a bit a reason why he wasn’t in the team on Saturday.

“But this week he had a good week in terms of load and how much he could do with the team.

“He is one of the players that I see new things from and learn things what I see from him, also combined with other players. It has been a good week for him and us until now.

“At this moment I am expecting everyone to be here. (But) everything can change.”

Burnley midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Orobah for an undisclosed fee.

The 33-year-old joined the Clarets in 2016 and went on to make 200 league appearances, scoring in his final match for the club in the 5-0 win over Cardiff last weekend.

A statement from Burnley read: “Following over 225 appearances, Europa League qualification, two top-10 Premier League finishes and a Championship league title, ‘JBG’ will always remain a fan favourite.

“Burnley would like to thank Johann for his contribution and commitment over the years and wish him all the best in the future.”

Sky Sports News are reporting that Bournemouth have held initial talks with Chelsea over a loan deal for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Cherries manager Andoni Iraola is keen to link up with an ex-teammate from their time at Athletic Bilbao but any deal is complicated because of wages and the length of his contract still at Chelsea.

It is believed it would require some internal agreements being made at Stamford Bridge for a loan to go through.

“It’s very close. It’s difficult to be talking about it because it’s not official, but it’s close.

“I think he’s a great signing and a player who is loved by this club. I am 100 per cent sure he is going bring something important for us. He is going to be important this season and the seasons ahead.

“I’m hoping it will be official this afternoon. We will be delighted with the signing.”

The Fulham boss also added that the club were looking at bringing in more signings saying: “We are going to sign a forward player. You all know that we have lost two wingers and we haven’t signed any players for that position. We will sign a forward.”

Pep Guardiola said Ilkay Gundogan had not come back to Manchester City to retire and told him it is time to put his football boots on and show the quality that persuaded him to sign the midfielder for a second time, rather than just enjoying a nostalgia trip.

The City manager admitted it was a surprise when he heard that Gundogan, who left to join Barcelona last summer, wanted to return to the Etihad Stadium but said it was an easy decision to agree. The 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal after Barcelona let him leave on a free transfer.

Reports have suggested Kieran Trippier, who turns 34 next month, wants to quit Tyneside after a two-and-a-half-year stay during which he has played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s return to prominence.

However, asked if he expected him to stay, head coach Eddie Howe said: “I hope so. I can never answer these questions with absolute certainty because it’s football and the transfer window is always unpredictable.

“But my wish is that he stays here and continues to play for us.”

“He has trained well this week normally with the team. I think he will be for sure involved in the game. We expect that he starts well, he gets everything.

“It’s difficult when someone arrives especially with the language. We don’t want to give him all the information because probably it is too much but we give at least the most important things for his position.”