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

Liverpool are closing in a deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili as they are preparing to make Valencia goalkeeper the first signing of Arne Slot’s reign.

Mamardashvili is not expected to arrive at Anfield until the summer of 2025 but Liverpool have made progress in their attempts to sign the 23-year-old.

Alisson is set to remain first-choice goalkeeper for this season, but the Georgia international could represent some succession planning as Liverpool look to the future.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wants Noni Madueke to stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window after the winger came off the bench to score his team’s second goal and seal a 2-0 win over Servette in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.

The 22-year-old cemented his place in the Italian’s plans with a clinical finish lashed in at the near post in the second half of what was at times an uncomfortable match against the Swiss side.

“I really like Noni,” said Maresca. “The only problem is that he has to understand that he has to be consistent during the week in training. He’s a good player and he’s doing well with us.”

Watch as Conor Gallagher is officially unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player on Friday, 23 August, after signing from Chelsea.

The England midfielder, 24, came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge.

He has now signed a five-year contract with the Spanish outfit after the clubs agreed to a reported £33.7m fee.

“I’ve obviously seen some of the noise. I do try and stay away from the noise when I can. There’s not really a financial limit, it is more are players valuations right.

“We can do stuff definitely between now and the end of the window, it just needs to fit for the team and the football club.

“Some of the figures and things you’ll hear banded around, I have not heard any figure in any of my meetings or discussions. It’s more ‘can we find things that fit football-wise and financially?’ than a set budget.”

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed £65m signing Dominic Solanke will miss the game against Everton on Saturday.

“Dom picked up a knock in the last game,” said Postecoglou. “He got through the game but it flared up the day after and he’ll miss the game tomorrow.

“It’s an ankle injury. He copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle. It just depends on his recovery. We’ve got the international break but it’s not serious.”

It was a statement of intent, by stepping back. When Manchester United were quoted £75m plus add-ons by Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite, the pursuit pretty much ended there and then. Some at the Goodison Park hierarchy were taken aback by the abruptness. They were convinced they would get that kind of price.

Dan Ashworth, United’s new sporting director, was adamant they would not. It was a point of principle. “Those days are over,” he was heard to say. Another line uttered at the top of Old Trafford was “the gold at the end of the United rainbow is no more” for other clubs.

It’s why their negotiations for Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte have been so protracted.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke in his press conference about how he was surprised by the speculation that Kieran Trippier may leave the club.

Addressing the rumours, Howe said Trippier “continues to be really valued” by the club.

“The situation is business as usual, Tripps has trained really well this week. I’m surprised by a lot of the stories that have come out,” he said, “[He’s] a valuable member of the squad. His professionalism has been first class.”

Enzo Maresca says that Chelsea may still be in the market to sign new players especially if they can get a deal for a No.9 over the line before the end of the window.

The manager said: “I just communicate the players that I like and the players I don’t like. Hopefully we can find solutions for them because at the end, when you find solutions, everyone is happy. When you don’t, probably you can create some problems.

“We don’t need to sign players just for signing players. If we sign a player to make us improve, we will sign players, otherwise we are happy with the way we are.

“If we have a chance to bring a No 9 that makes us better, we are going to try.”

Jude Bellingham has emerged as an injury doubt for Real Madrid’s clash with Real Valladolid after sustaining a knock in training.

Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Friday that the midfielder was being assessed ahead of his side’s second La Liga fixture.

The 21-year-old helped the Spanish capital club to domestic and Champions League triumphs in his first season in Madrid.

An enviable array of forward options had failed to fire against Mallorca on Monday with Bellingham again deployed in a deeper role behind Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.

Pep Guardiola says the possibility of re-signing Ilkay Gundogan came as a surprise which just shows how unpredictable the transfer window can be.

The Man City boss said: “When managers say ‘this is the transfer window, anything can happen’, this is the real proof.

“It was a complete surprise, unexpected. We know him quite well, me personally, but the staff and players, and we know the quality he played last season at Barcelona. He played at a high, high level, consistency, playing a lot of minutes and producing a lot.

“We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility was open. Absolutely delighted he’s back. He’s not a teenager anymore but the recent why we decide to do it is for the level he played last season.

“Even the Euros, playing with the national team, he played really, really good as well.

“He knows what we want to do, he doesn’t need to adapt, he knows the city, the club, the way we want to play. He’ll immediately settle good.”