Heading home: Midfielder Fabregas left Barcelona
for Arsenal as a 16-year-old
Barcelona have warned Arsenal they will
not be panicked into raising their bid for Cesc Fabregas -
threatening to drag out the saga to the final day of the summer
transfer window.
The Catalans feel they have the upper hand in negotiations
because the Spain midfielder has told Arsene Wenger he wants to
leave the Emirates Stadium. And despite the Gunners demanding
£80million for a player who Barca value at £30m, Nou Camp director
general Joan Oliver insists he is prepared to play a waiting
game.
'The worst thing we can do is fix ourselves a deadline,' he
said. 'The only time limit we have is when the window closes, at
the end of August.'
Arsenal have scuppered hopes of an early deal and sources in
Spain suggest Joan Laporta has now decided not to get involved with
negotiations before he leaves office on June 30.
His successor, elected on June 13, will have to complete the
deal, though Nou Camp insiders will continue to work on it. It
seems increasingly unlikely that the impasse will be broken before
the World Cup, especially as Fabregas is now turning his full
attention to the tournament in South Africa.
The 23-year-old is said to have told friends that he is '500 per
cent' sure of re-joining the club where he came through the youth
ranks, but it is suggested he will not come out and make public a
demand to leave Arsenal.
Barca insiders hoped Fabregas would make a declaration to
strengthen their hand further, though they are confident it is a
case of when and not if the deal is concluded.
Oliver said: 'All there is right now is interest that the player
has shown in Barcelona and our initial contact with Arsenal.
'There hasn't been an official offer from Barca yet or a price
from Arsenal. Everything is just speculation. Barca have of course
put a limit on what we are willing to spend I'm not telling you
what it is.
'If we reach an agreement, he'll come and if not, he'll stay at
Arsenal.
'There is money to buy him because the club's finances are
strong and we have credit from other clubs. For example, we're
paying for (David) Villa in installments.'
Fabregas's father has upped the pressure by calling on Arsenal
to understand his son's desire to return home.
'Arsenal have to respect the decision and the will of the
player,' said Francesc Snr.
'Negotiations between Arsenal and Barcelona will be very long.
Both sides are going to have to sit several times because the issue
is complicated.
'Cesc is now focused on the Spanish team but what he wants is to
close the signing soon. 'He has always responded to Arsene Wenger
with his work and we are also grateful to Arsenal because they made
my son a great player. We just want this to end soon.
'At the moment he has a contract with Arsenal. I get the feeling
that the English club do not want to sell but in the end will
finally give in and let Cesc go.'
However, Alexander Hleb, who regrets making the move from
Arsenal to Barcelona two years ago, has advised his former
team-mate to stay in the Barclays Premier League.
'I stay in touch with Cesc a lot,' the Belarus midfielder told
the Daily Mirror. 'He and Gael Clichy are both very good players
who must make their own decisions about their future. But I would
advise them to stay.
'It didn't work out for Arsenal this season but, if Arsene
Wenger keeps the side together, they can really go far next
year.
'They play great football.I think they have a very good chance
of the title next season.'
