The signals have been picked up at Barcelona - where Fabregas
began his career as a trainee. Sources close to the Catalan giants
are now convinced the midfielder has set his heart on rejoining the
club he has supported since he was a toddler.
Reports in his native Barca claim that his recent spat with Hull
officials after the Gunners' stormy 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final
victory have further affected his state of mind. Barcelona are
briefing the Spanish media that Fabregas believes there is a witch
hunt against him as part of a campaign to drive him away from
Arsenal.
Back in England, there is an entirely different notion. Within
the confines of the Emirates, insiders have detected a marked
change in Fabregas's attitude since he returned victorious from
Spain's success in last summer's European Championships.
A Gunners insider told us: "Fabregas has changed since he came
back from the European Championships. It's as if he thinks he's
made it because Spain won. "It was the same with Thierry Henry in
his last season - but at least Henry had won everything and had a
right to swagger around. People are scared to confront Fabregas in
case they upset him and he decides to walk in the summer.
"But as far as most of the players are concerned, he's going
anyway and there is a real arrogance to him now." There is a
growing belief amongst Arsenal players and officials that his
swagger is threatening the dressing room harmony.
The Arsenal source said: "Fabregas is almost a law unto himself.
He walks around like he owns the place and that's put more than a
few noses out of joint. "A lot of the players think he'll be off in
the summer to Barcelona - or maybe even Real Madrid - and that he's
just swaggering around until he goes.
"The problem is, he gets away with it. There were a lot of
people at the club who were surprised when he was allowed to go
back to Spain for several weeks to do his injury rehabilitation
because it's normally a strict policy that rehab is overseen by
Arsenal medical staff."
The player's father, Francesc Fabregas Snr insisted his son "is
very happy at Arsenal" before adding: "But there are a thousand
conditions to be considered. "He has always said that Arsene Wenger
is one of the fundamental things for him to be there. "When
Florentino (Perez) was at Real Madrid four years ago they came to
us and put a lot of money on the table but we said 'No'.
"We decided that it was not the right moment then for Cesc to
make the change. You have to take everything into consideration -
money is not everything."
While manager Arsene Wenger has publicly defended his club
captain, there are other senior officials at Arsenal who are
concerned at the Spaniard's attitude.
And there is a feeling at Arsenal the club will not be able to
match the £120,000-a-week wages that would be on offer at the Nou
Camp.
Wenger has insisted on basic parity amongst top earners - like
Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas - of around £90,000 so as not
to create any ill-feeling in the dressing room.
But that figure is unlikely to satisfy Fabregas, 21, who knows
the La Liga giants will do everything they can to lure him home.
Significantly, Wenger is already looking to strengthen his midfield
department - with Fiorentina's Felipe Melo seen as a possible
replacement.
The young Brazilian has been watched several times in recent
week and has confirmed: "I know about the interest from teams like
Arsenal and Juventus but I prefer to leave these matters in the
hands of my agent and only think about playing football."
Wenger will not let Fabregas leave willingly. But he will need
to use all his powers of persuasion to calm the storm which is
brewing inside his dressing room. Ultimately, the solution lies
with Fab himself.
