TRANSFER TALKS BETWEEN Arsenal and Barcelona are said to be at an “advanced” stage but Cesc Fabregas remains a Premier League player – for the time being.

That’s according to Barca coach Pep Guardiola, who updated reporters about the very latest in the ongoing saga on Saturday morning ahead of the club’s Super Cup clash with rivals Real Madrid.

“According to the information I have, it is all very advanced but it still lacks a piece of paper. He is still an Arsenal player,” Guardiola said.

The coach also refused to criticise either Gerard Piqué or Carles Puyol after both players took to Twitter to welcome the potential new signing on Friday. “Social networks are unstoppable,” he said. Puyol tweeted: “Welcome home!!! Happy to have you here @cesc4official.”

La Vanguardia has also reported that Fabregas will eventually sign a five-year deal with the club and could be unveiled as soon as Monday. However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is now being tipped to move on from the London club at the end of the upcoming season, maintained that both Fabregas and Samir Nasri remain part of his squad.

On Friday, he told reporters:

“I believe the best for us, one day before the championship starts, is not to focus on possible transfers. I cannot say it will not happen. Since I have been at Arsenal we have been in the middle of transfer speculations – with Vieira, with Petit, with Overmars, with Bergkamp. We have that every year. It is part of our job. They are disruptive but they are not an excuse.”

READ – Barcelona complete Fabregas signing – Spanish reports

READ – Arsenal look ready to sell Nasri and Fabregas