Barce insists they will not be held to
ransom on Fabregas
The Spanish champions have made the Gunners captain their No1
priority after completing a £35million deal for Spain striker David
Villa last month.
They had a £29m bid for Fabregas rejected prior to the World Cup
starting but Rosell is confident he can get his man for a fee of
around £35m.
However, Arsenal are holding out for a price closer to £50m —
and that has left the Barca chief fuming.
Rosell said: "We will never pay £40m or £50m for Cesc. "The
whole world knows he wants to come and that we want to sign him.
"But it's a topic that has become so public and that's the worst
thing you can do with a transfer.
"It makes the selling club raise their expectations and you end
up paying over the odds.
Rosell — who formally succeeded Joan Laporta as president last
week — revealed he will seek talks with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger,
who is commentating for French TV at the World Cup
He added: "I assure you I will try and talk with him in South
Africa." Barca coach Pep Guardiola reportedly met up with Fabregas
at Spain's training camp last weekend.
And Rosell was pictured with members of the midfielder's family
at the Moto GP in Catalonia on Sunday.