It's a transfer saga that has already lasted several summers.
Having failed with two bids last year, Barcelona are back in for
Cesc Fabregas, and he won't come cheap. The Catalan club reportedly
had a €30m offer for the Arsenal captain turned down last week,
with the Gunners said to be holding out for a figure closer to
€40m.
So is he worth it? Do Barcelona need him? Will he be a guaranteed
starter? Should the club blow a large part of their transfer budget
on a midfielder anyway? And in Thiago Alcantara, who shone in
Saturday's win for Spain in the final of the European Under-21
Championships, don't Barca already have cover for Xavi and Andres
Iniesta? The Blaugrana fans answer those questions as they discuss
with Goal.com the potential signing of the club's
former youth team midfielder.
Alex
- "He'll be good cover for
Xavi"
He is a great player and he knows Barca inside out. He
will provide good cover for Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta, which we
didn't have too much of last season, and we need a bigger squad. He
knows the Barca style of play and he will fit in perfectly. He's
expensive but he wants to come, Barca want him and he will be a
good signing.
Cesc will integrate very well because he came through the youth
system, but if he does come he won't be first-choice. He won't
replace Xavi or Iniesta, so if he accepts being on the bench it
could work brilliantly. Having said that, €35m is a lot of money to
pay for a player who will be on the bench. He should stay one more
year at Arsenal and come when Xavi is a bit older.
Asier
- "Promote youth team
players"
I don't think he is needed. Barca shouldn't be
spending so much money on a player for that position. The midfield
is the foundation of the club's youth policy; La Masia produces
great midfielders and the club should be looking to bring players
through from the youth sides.
Dani
-
"He's too
expensive"
Lots
of my friends who are season-ticket holders have very strong
opinions about this. They don't want the club to pay all that
money. I am in two minds; I think he would be a good signing for
Barca but I also think he is too expensive. And who would you leave
out of the team anyway? I don't think we need him at the
moment.
Javi
- "He's Catalan, he knows
Barca"
We should sign him. He came out of our youth system
and he is a good player. Yes, he's expensive but compared to other
players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he would be good value. We
have a small squad and I think we need him. It would allow Xavi to
rest and he would give us something extra.
Joanjo -
"He gets
injured too
much"
I
would very much like Cesc to come, but he gets injured too much and
he is too expensive. He knows Barca, he knows Guardiola and he can
adapt really well, as Pedro, Xavi and Iniesta have done. His real
cost is surely closer to €20 or €25m, though. So I hope he comes,
but not at any price. And I wouldn't sell Thiago; he is one for the
future and he can continue his development at the club.
Marc
- "Barca
don't need him"
He isn't needed. I'm not against him coming but he's
too expensive and we are well covered in that position. Actually I
would like to see him here, but not for the prices being mentioned.
Thiago is not ready yet, though. He looks a good player but I would
sell him with a buy-back option or send him out on loan.
Martin
- "Money
better spent elsewhere"
I think Barcelona are well covered in that position
and the money would be better spent in other positions, such as a
central striker, a centre-back, a left-back and a right-back as
cover for Dani Alves. Paying €30m when you already have the
position covered is absurd. Cesc is much better than Thiago at the
moment, but if he comes, Thiago may not be able to realise his
potential.
Oscar
-
"Depends what he costs"
It depends what he costs. It's a very inflated price
for a player who was formed at this club. It's crazy money,
especially as we're in the middle of a financial crisis.Thiago
needs to be patient because Iniesta, for example, was on the bench
at his age. And look at him now.
Ceci
- "Spending is bad for the
club"
Cesc is a good player and he would be useful because
Xavi can't play all of the games. But Barcelona shouldn't be
spending so much money on a player who isn't a priority; the club
is closing down its sections in other sports* and then want to
spend €35m to €40m on one player who might not even start. That's
not right.
*Ceci is a former hockey player for Barcelona
