FC BARCELONA - CESC FABREGAS | AN NEVER ENDING STORY

Watching a popular late night SPANISH FOOTBALL TV programme the other night one of the journalists invited said: ..."the Cesc Fabregas operation isn´t so shut case as it seems". In fact, the journo went further & said ..."It is all taking longer than expected to shut the transfer of Cesc to Barcelona".

Food for thought, especially as one reads a few headlines in todays Spanish Sports press. The first piece is from "AS" which publish that FC Barcelona has offered to pay for the Cesc Fabregas transfer in quotes. That is,  9,5M€ (25 % of the offered 37,5 M€) now upfront & the rest in negotiated periods. Problem is ARSENAL asks for 44M€, & the clear fact is that FC Barcelona,  believe it or not, has a cash problem, that is , only 45M€ to make signings & they are talking about Cesc, Sanchez & who knows who else. If I was Arsenal, I may be in my right mind to think if Barça is in fact seroius at all about signing Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas

But there is more to this extended signing story. Today "Sky Sport" publish that REAL MADRID may have entered the picture & has approached ARSENAL without any "fancy financial formulas" claiming that Madrid think that 45M€ looks good to them. First instinct is to find out if this is at all true, that Real Madrid in fact has made a move or its Arsenal turning the screws. Secondly, it could be Real Madrid attempting to give their rival a hard time as it is a habitual manoeuvring behaviour used by both sides to "sit it up" the other. Thirdly, it could be all genuine as what Real Madrid really do need to spice up their squad is a creative midfielder with characteristics of Fabregas.

The player will independently need to seriously consider & think about his future beyond his "heart-strings". What is almost certain is that Fabregas at FC Barcelona will not be the "star" & will spend time on the bench. While at Real Madrid Cesc Fabregas could become the "engineer" of the team, get a firm & steady place & become a real undisputed World Star.

I still believe at this stage that Cesc Fabregas looks more closer to becoming a FC Barcelona player than for any other Club. But it is true that the "getting Cesc to Barcelona" operation is taking too long & this naturally gives rise to questions & some doubt. Stay tuned!

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Xavi would welcome Fabregas move

Xavi insists he would welcome the competition Cesc Fabregas would offer if joins Barcelona this summer.

Barca failed with two bids for the Arsenal captain last year and have reportedly had an initial offer turned down this summer too.

However, Arsenal have conceded that they are prepared to sell their skipper this summer, provided the price is right.

The European champions are expected to return with a new bid for their former youth team midfielder, 24, despite already having the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

Xavi believes signing a player such as Fabregas to their midfield ranks can only be a positive thing, though.

"Competition is always good and Cesc is an extraordinary footballer," he said.

"If he comes, it will be to help out."

However, Xavi hopes Fabregas does not face the same comparisons he faced himself when he broke through in the late 1990s.

"They put that label on me of being a replacement for Pep Guardiola and it wasn't fun at all," said the 31-year-old.

Barca have also kept faith in their home-grown players, though, with 20 year-old midfielder Thiago Alcantara signing a new contract until 2015.

"Thiago has renewed and that's great news," said Xavi.

"He is a fantastic player with a lot of talent - the competitiveness of the group is great."

And Xavi has answered questions about his long-term fitness, by insisting he is feeling fresh ahead of the new campaign.

"I feel good physically, I'm very motivated and content," he said.

"Last year I suffered some tendonitis in the Achilles tendon but I'm over that.

"I'll try to start off as best I can and at the highest level."

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Arsenal Urged To Sell Cesc Fabregas

Nigel Winterburn has declared that the time has come for Arsenal to sell Cesc Fabregas.

Football giants Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan are all interested in the Spanish international midfielder.

Winterburn said: “The big question for the summer is will Cesc Fabregas stay and I must admit, I have my doubts.

“Cesc clearly wanted to go last to Barcelona last year, but he is under a long contract at Arsenal and is not the type of player to kick up too much of a fuss. He has too much respect for his manager and club to do that.

“He will always give everything in games, but if he still wants to leave now and go back to Spain then the club will have to think about letting it happen.

“Arsenal will call the shots though, and can ask for as much as they like from Barcelona. It would have to be in excess of £30m for a player of Cesc’s calibre who is still only 24.

“But if he does leave it will give a chance to others, and a chance to maybe alter the style of play in midfield. The current system based on technical ability has been found out in the last few years, and Arsene may look to go in a new direction.”

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Real Madrid To Meet Arsenal’s £35 Million Demand For Cesc Fabregas

Sensational news are out and it has been reported that Real Madrid is planning to meet Arsenal’s asking price for skipper Cesc Fabregas.

The Sun has revealed that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will bid £35million to hijack Barcelona’s expected move for the Arsenal skipper.

It is believed that cash-strapped Barca are still expected to make another attempt to lure the World Cup winning midfielder back to his hometown club.

However it is said that Perez is desperate to get one up on Madrid’s hated rivals following defeat in the Champions League semis.

Boss Jose Mourinho is keen on the Arsenal skipper who is seen as the perfect complement to Xabi Alonso at the heart of Real’s midfield.

Arsenal will reluctantly part with their skipper if a £35m bid comes in, though they will be hoping a bidding war hots up between the two Spanish giants.

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Real Madrid Favourites To Sign Arsenal Star Cesc Fabregas

It has emerged that Real Madrid are new favourites for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Sun has reported that the Gunner are ready to reluctantly sell its club captain this summer.

It is said that Arsene Wenger will want £35m for a player who cost £500,000 from the Barcelona youth academy in 2003.

It is believed that the Spanish champions are reluctant to increase last year’s bid for a player who would not be an automatic starter.

However despite interest from Spanish rivals Real Madrid, Fabregas has set his heart on returning to his home club.

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Cesc Fabregas Unhappy With Playing Postiton At Arsenal

Interesting new are out and it has been revealed that Cesc Fabregas has complained being played out of position by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Daily Mail has revealed that the Arsenal captain suggests in the audio transcript of his infamous interview with Don Balon that he feels Wenger is not playing him in his best position, a point not in the original article.

The 23 year old said: “I still think my best position is slightly deeper. I’m better with the game in front of me.

“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable playing where I’m playing. I don’t touch the ball so much, but I’ve got the chance to play the final pass more.”

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Barcelona Drop Fabregas Pursuit To Sign Villarreal Ace Giuseppe Rossi

Transfer reports are out and it has been revealed that Barcelona have dropped their interest in Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

According to Sport, Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi is now Barca’s top target for the summer market.

It is said that Barca coach Pep Guardiola sees adding to his striker options as more a priority than his midfield.

The Spanish champions have €40 million to spend this summer and intend to throw the majority of it at signing the Italian international.

The former Manchester United forward’s agent last week admitted a move to Barca could be on.

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Barcelona To Once Again Open Talks With Arsenal For Cesc Fabregas

The never ending saga of Cesc Fabregas continues and this time Barcelona plan to use the international break to open talks with Arsenal about a summer deal for the midfielder.

Reports have surfaced recently that the Arsenal’s board have decided to cash in on Cesc to the tune of £45 million.

According to Sport, Barcelona are encouraged by the latest valuation, having had an offer of £30 million plus £2.5 million in bonuses turned down last summer.

The Gunners haven’t been in recent contact with Barca about reopening negotiations, but the Spanish Liga leaders are convinced they can talk down their asking price.

Cesc is frustrated by Arsenal’s latest trophy flop, though he has not spoken to manager Arsene Wenger about his future. For the moment, the Gunners captain is focusing on recovering from a hamstring injury.

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Emmanuel Petit Questions The Mentality Of Cesc Fabregas

Interesting news are out and it has been revealed that Emmanuel Petit has questioned the mentality of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Gunners legend fears that the Spanish international star is cracking up under the pressure!

Petit told The Sun: “There seems to be a curse around the club at the moment. Arsenal’s key players seem to be cracking up.

“You get the impression that some psychological work will need to be done on Fabregas.

“His recent performances have been below his usual standard. He seems to have a complex over his former club Barcelona.”

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Barcelona To Sell Players To Fund Fabregas Bid

It has been revealed that Spanish champions FC Barcelona are ready to sell in order to fund a bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Mirror has reported that the Catalan giants insist privately they are undecided on whether to pursue another crack at signing the Arsenal captain this summer.

However coach Pep Guardiola, president Sandro Rosell and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta are due to meet to discuss whether to renew their interest.

Barcelona have a frosty relationship with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger will try and resist any attempts by the Spanish club to sign Fabregas who is under contract until 2005.

But Barcelona are ready to clear the decks by selling off Alexander Hleb (currently on loan at Birmingham), full back Maxwell and Seydou Keita.

That would free up funds to make a big money move and Guardiola is massively in favour of signing Fabregas.

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