Arsenal Agree to £35m Sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona

But will Nou Camp side pay the asking price for the Emirates Stadium skipper?

ARSENAL are ready to reluctantly sell Cesc Fabregas for £35million.
Arsene Wenger is unlikely to stand in the Spaniard’s way after persuading him not to leave last season for his beloved Barcelona.

Arsenal insiders are convinced this will be Fabregas’ last season at the Emirates despite having four years of his £120,000-a-week contract to run.

The Spain international is disillusioned with the club’s failure to lift a trophy since 2005.

Boss Wenger knows it will be virtually impossible to convince the ambitious Fabregas, 23, to prolong his stay. He was bitterly disappointed when Arsenal refused a £29m offer from Barcelona last summer.

Wenger convinced him to have one last crack at leading Arsenal’s young team to glory but they have fallen short again and Fabregas voiced his growing frustration in an interview in Spain.

A club insider said: “There is a feeling Cesc has gone as far as he can with Arsenal.

“He has been with us eight years and believes he has shown great loyalty.

“The team will finish the season empty-handed again and he fears that situation will not change.”

SOURCE: The Sun

There is no doubting that Cesc Fabregas has not been at this best this term and that another season without silverware will have ramifications on the Spaniard’s state of mind, but are Arsenal ready to sell their captain? Wouldn’t such a sale admit their shortcomings? Arsene Wenger has stated in recent press conferences that he plans no major player sales so not sure if there is much to this story other than a ‘club insider’ who could of course be totally fictitious.

Cesc has been continually linked with a return to the Nou Camp over the past few seasons and perhaps the most pertinent question to ask in relation to such interest would be “where exactly would Fabregas fit into Guardiola’s plans?”.

Given that it would be next to impossible to play Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Fabregas in the same midfield perhaps any move to sign the Arsenal captain would occur only when Xavi was nearing retirement, which doesn’t seem imminent.

Wenger also reportedly faces a challenge to keep other big names players with the likes of Robin Van Persie, Gael Clichy, Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri all strongly linked with moves away from North London. There is a sense that this summer will be a big one for the Gunners and most supporters will be looking to see their club buy established players whilst keeping those in the squad who have something to offer.

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Real v Barcelona preview

After verbal jousting, analysis of the 'psychological edge' and quotes from Albert Einstein, Real Madrid and Barcelona will meet for the third time in the space of 11 days on Wednesday night.

The Bernabeu will play host to the first leg of a UEFA Champions League semi-final El Clasico which has all the ingredients to meet the expectations and hype surrounding the build-up.

Jose Mourinho's Real have emerged in the eyes of some as favourites to secure an aggregate win and book a place at Wembley after holding Barcelona to a draw in La Liga and defeating Pep Guardiola's team in the Copa del Rey final earlier in April.

But Mourinho has been attempting to cast his side as underdogs and, at the same time, has been playing his usual mind games in a bid to unsettle Guardiola, who seems to have uncharacteristically risen to the bait.

Whether the spat, Mourinho accusing Guardiola of complaining about referees, has in fact distracted the latter to an extent other than a few words and finger wagging at a press conference remains to be seen, but to spectators it has added an extra bit of needle to the contest.

Real's manager has been at his best in public preparation for the European visit of domestic rivals Barcelona, playing down his side's chances, adding pressure on the opposition and revealing that he has been referencing Einstein quotes regarding the importance of willpower.

Mourinho will also be boosted by the knowledge that Real have twice eliminated Barcelona at the semi-final stage before going on to win the competition, most recently nine years ago and prior to that in 1960.

The former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager, who won the Champions League with Inter last season having knocked out Guardiola's Barcelona in the semis, also takes his team into the midweek fixture on the back of a thumping 6-3 league win at Valencia on Saturday.

Real, though, will be missing Sami Khedira through injury and Lassana Diarra is likely to provide cover, while Fernando Gago is also unavailable due to a fitness problem.

The hero from the quarter-final win over Tottenham, Emmanuel Adebayor, is expected to be back in contention after a groin complaint and Angel Di Maria is also in the squad following his recovery from a bruised knee.

Following his side's win at Osasuna on Saturday, Guardiola has spoken of his concern that Real are in 'their form of the season' and he will also be hampered by the fact that one of his star men, Andres Iniesta (calf), will be absent in the Spanish capital.

In contrast, both captain Carles Puyol and Gabriel Milito have returned to training in the wake of injury scares, but Adriano is facing four weeks of rehabilitation for a torn thigh muscle.

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Manchester United Plan Shock Move to Sign Barcelona Midfielder Javier Mascherano

Nou Camp star linked with Old Trafford move.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano. The former Liverpool man has failed to secure a regular spot in the Nou Camp starting eleven and was even used as a makeshift centre back in the Copa Del Rey Final and could be interested in a Premier League return.

Mascherano has barely featured in Pep Guardiola’s first eleven as young Spanish international Sergio Busquets continues to impress at the heart of the Barcelona midfield, this has led to the battler feeling frustrated on the bench, a situation the San Lorenzo born star has not experienced in his career.

The tigerish midfielder has started just 14 games for Barcelona this season, six of those in the Copa Del Rey, and may well be tempted by the chance of a move to the Premier League table toppers, regardless of the fact they are the arch rivals of his former side.

Ferguson has been linked with moves to bring a new defensive force into the centre of his midfield, not least because Owen Hargreaves seems no nearer to ending his injury woes. A move for Mascherano may appear at first surprising given his previous stint at Anfield, but his proven record at Premier League level will greatly interest the Old Trafford boss.

Barcelona paid £22m to sign Mascherano last summer and Pep Guardiola may be willing to offload the 26 year old to help balance the books. The Catalan giants are reportedly experiencing some financial problems and if a suitable offer was made then perhaps the La Liga champions would consider selling the Argentine international.

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Barcelona to Sell Six to Fund £52.7m Bid for Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas

Nou Camp side make room for Emirates skipper.

Barcelona are planning to cut 6 first team stars this summer according to esteemed Spanish publication AS in an effort to raise funds to launch a bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. The Barcelona President Sandro Rosell has revealed that the club will only be able to launch a summer offer for Fabregas if they sell a number of their current first team stars to finance the deal. The six players tipped to leave the Nou Camp are Adriano, Ibrahim Afellay, Maxwell, Seydou Keita, Gabi Milito, and Jeffren. The news will alert the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur who have been interested in two of the aforementioned squad members.

SOURCE: Sport.co.uk

A great deal of speculation that surrounded the issue of finances at the Nou Camp and that the lack of funds for Pep Guardiola was preventing the Catalan club from meeting any valuation placed on Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas as opposed to any feeling that too much was being demanded by the North London club, with that in mind this source believes that the La Liga champions are willing to sell a number of first team squad players to help fund a move for the Spanish international.

Some sources are stating that Arsenal have quoted a fee of €60m (£52.6m) for their captain and as recently as this week Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has stated his club were not willing to pay such a fee but apparently Pep Guardiola has identified Fabregas as his main target for this coming summer and expects his side to fund a move, hence the potential sales.

Of the players named Ibrahim Afellay is perhaps the most attractive with many sides interested in the former PSV man who only arrived at the club in January. Jeffren has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Aston Villa are reportedly keen on utility defender Gabriel Milito.

Barcelona have also been strongly linked with a move for Arsenal winger Samir Nasri and there has been interest from Bayern Munich in Gael Clichy and Andrei Arshavin and Arsene Wenger knows that if the Gunners fails to land the Premier League title this season then he may struggle to keep the nucleus of a side that has failed to seal any silverware in six seasons.

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Arsenal Plan Surprise Move to Sign £9m Barcelona Playmaker But Not as Part of Fabregas Swap

Emirates side keen on Nou Camp bit part player.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is chasing Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. The Daily Star Sunday says Barca boss Pep Guardiola is ready to flog the talented Dutchman, 24, who has failed to make the breakthrough at the Nou Camp.

Afellay moved to Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in the January transfer window for just £3million as his contract was set to run out at the end of the season. Guardiola would like to use the Holland international as a makeweight to snare Gunners ace Cesc Fabregas in the summer.

But an Emirates source insisted: “Afellay is a young and gifted player but he won’t be part of a deal for Cesc going to Barca.”

SOURCE: Tribalfootball

Clearly when former PSV Eindhoven star Ibrahim Afellay finally made his long and protracted move to Barcelona the Dutch international would have expected life to be tough and the pursuit of first team football a difficult one but apparently the 24 year old didn’t think it would be this tough. Having arrived for a knock down fee in January the talented playmaker who can play in the centre of more predominantly out wide, has barely had a look in.

To date Afellay has started just one La Liga game and has seen a grand total of 12 minutes Champions League action. His outings have pretty much set aside for Copa Del Rey action and it doesn’t look like he is going to get much of a look in for the coming future given the talent that lies ahead of him.

Arsene Wenger wanted to land Afellay when he was at PSV and will try again to nab the Utrecht born star and some sources believe that Pep Guardiola will consider offers of around £9m which would represent a good investment by the Catalan club and also seems a fair price for a player with great potential.

Clearly Arsenal have a number of players of a similar style and position to the Barcelona man but there have been many questions over the form of the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and it seems that of the wide players in the Gunners armoury only Samir Nasri has actually been consistently effective, even young England international Theo Walcott has flitted in and out of form so a move for Afellay may be a wise one.

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Barcelona Will Not Increase Bid For Cesc Fabregas

According to Francisco Acedo at Sky Sports News, Barcelona will not make an increased bid for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas next summer. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell told Sport,

“Barca is not disposed to pay €50million (£43.9m) for Cesc Fabregas next summer … That is decided and, although Guardiola demands this player, we will not pay this amount.

“It is impossible due to a simple reason. In football, prices are reduced each year and, if we offered Arsenal €40m (£35.1m) for Cesc last summer, €50m is now impossible … If the coach demands Cesc we will negotiate with the Gunners, but at a correct limit and without madness and, if the operation is not possible, we will wait for other opportunities.

“Our relationship with Arsenal is not good. The Toral issue has not pleased us … The future of Cesc is in his hands and we could only negotiate with Arsenal if Guardiola insists. Only with any sale is it possible to increase the money for the negotiations.”

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Barcelona Not Happy With Arsenal and Will Not Pay £43m for Cesc Fabregas

Emirates captain will not be moving to Nou Camp…not at that price anyway.

At only 23 and with a contract until 2015, Arsenal believe that Fabregas belongs among the elite group of players (Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres) who have commanded transfer fees of at least €50 million.
“Barca is not disposed to pay €50 million for Cesc Fabregas next summer,” said Sandro Rosell, the Barcelona president. “That is decided and, although [Pep] Guardiola demands this player, we will not pay this amount.
“It is impossible due to a simple reason. In football, prices are reduced each year and, if we offered Arsenal €40 million for Cesc last summer, 50 million is now impossible. If the coach demands Cesc we will negotiate with the Gunners but at a correct limit and without madness and, if the operation is not possible, we will wait for other opportunities.”
The situation regarding Fabregas could be further complicated by Barcelona’s financial situation, with the club recording a loss of £65 million and debts of £272 million for the 2009-10 accounting year.
Rosell also admitted that relations between the two clubs were soured by Arsenal recruiting Jon Miguel Toral from the Barcelona academy.

“Our relationship with Arsenal is not good – the Toral issue has not pleased us,” Rosell said. “The future of Cesc is in his hands and we could only negotiate with Arsenal if Guardiola insists. Only with any sale is it possible to increase the money for the negotiations.”

SOURCE: Telegraph

Is Sandro Rosell serious? A valuation of £43m in today’s market seems more than reasonable, and clearly if they are not willing to pay it then fine, but if not then surely they have to respect a club’s decision on the matter. If I go to a shop and they are charging x amount for a product and I can’t afford it or I think it’s too much, then I don’t bother to hassle the shop or get angry about it, I leave.

Barcelona will of course continue to play the media game this summer and if anyone think’s this is the end of the matter, they are seriously mistaken. Cesc Fabregas is very much a player Pep Guardiola wants but one has to wonder at the wisdom of such a move for the Emirates skipper.

Where would the talented Spanish international fit into the starting eleven? Neither Xavi or Andres Iniesta will be dropped, so where exactly will he find himself? That’s right, on the Nou Camp bench. That’s not because he isn’t a great player, it’s because he isn’t as good as either of those two fellow Spaniards, which is no shame as both are considered the best in the business in their respective positions.

Such a purchase by the Catalan giants would be a view to the future and not to now, and Fabregas would have to take this into account before pushing for a move away from the Emirates. The likes of Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin and Robin Van Persie are also reportedly being chased by interested parties, but don’t expect manager’s of the club’s pursuing them to say “It’s not fair, Arsenal want too much money!”.

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Wilshere: England win inspired by Barcelona

Jack Wilshere has revealed England's players watched videos of Barcelona in action to help them with their game plan in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff.

Fabio Capello stressed the need for England to put into operation the pressing game of the Spanish giants against Gary Speed's side and it paid handsome dividends.

England triumphed 2-0 with Wilshere in impressive form on his competitive debut for his country in a three-man midfield alongside Frank Lampard and Scott Parker who was used in the holding role.

Teenager Wilshere, part of the Arsenal side beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League, said: "We watched some videos of Barcelona and the way they pressed.

"We tried to do it like them against Wales. We pressed high and the idea was to get some early goals and we got them. We made it comfortable for ourselves.

"We watched the videos a couple of days ago. We want to press like them. They are the best at it in the world and we have to learn from teams like that. At my age I am always learning and I can learn from players like that in their side.''

Wilshere welcomes the belief of Fabio Capello in him to be a regular member of the England starting line-up but knows he faces stiff competition.

He said: "These are the things you want to hear. At my age, I am 19 and there are still players like Stevie Gerrard to come back.

"There are big players. I am trying to work hard for my club and see if the manager picks me for internationals.

"You are around good players. It always helps. It is easy to play with players like Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. You can just fit in. I think that helped me against Wales.

"It's about people like Scott Parker as well. He was brilliant in Cardiff. He has brought his club form to international level.

"When you have a player like Scott holding, you know you can go forward and rely on him to make the tackles and win the ball back for you.''

Wilshere has been under the media spotlight after his performances for the Gunners against Barcelona.

He said: "It's part and parcel of football. If you play well, people will talk about you and that's what you want. But like I said, at my age, I am 19 and still trying to improve every day.

"I have still got a lot to learn and want to work hard for my club and bring it to international level.''

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce wants Wilshere to play in the summer European Championship although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has voiced concerns.

Wilshere is content to allow his managers at club and international level to sort out what is the best solution.

He said: "This is international football and I want to play in any international football. It's up to Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello. They will talk and see what's best for me.

"I always speak to the manager at Arsenal and I will again. I am sure Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello will talk to him as well.''

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Arsenal's Robin van Persie blasts whining Chelsea and Barcelona

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie last night spiced up the title race by branding Chelsea  a team of moaners  who spend too much time complaining to referees. Van Persie, whose side are four points ahead of Carlo Ancelotti's team in the fight to win the Barclays Premier League, labelled such behaviour 'b****y annoying' and 'unsporting'. The Holland forward, 27, who was sent off as  Arsenal went out of the Champions League against Barcelona earlier this month, also laid into the Spanish champions for excessive moaning. Bothersome: Robin van Perise says Chelsea's constant bleating leaves a bitter taste As he prepared for Holland's Euro 2012 qualifier in Hungary on Friday night, Van Persie said: 'Barcelona's players have the habit of  whingeing about every- thing, and that is disappointing. In England, Chelsea's players behave in the same way. 'Barca are a great team, but they shouldn't overdo the moaning as they become b****y annoying. They dispute every decision, with five  players confronting the referee. I like their style of play, but find them unsporting as well. Not guilty! Van Persei protested his innocence when sent off against Barcelona 'They behaved like this in their two games against Arsenal. It was not so clever and rather unsportsmanlike.' Despite calling Barca the best team in the world, Van Persie did give encouragement to the three English teams left in the Champions League, adding: 'I rate them more highly than the Spanish national side, but they can be beaten. I felt in no way inferior to their players.'  Ferguson slammed for undermining Respect campaign over ref rantVan Persie: Title in Arsenal's hands... and we won't drop it!Graham Poll: Call that a ban? Sir Alex Ferguson still able to have his sayAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinionAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Robin Van Persie, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Chelsea, Barcelona, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Hungary

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Manchester City Plan Ambitious £26m Barcelona Striker Swap

Eastlands boss wants Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the Nou Camp and will give them star name in return.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has lost patience with striker Mario Balotelli and will axe him from Eastlands this summer unless there is a dramatic ­improvement in his behaviour.

And the ruthless Italian coach has made Zlatan Ibrahimovic his No.1 target as he gets set to go on another multi-million pound spending spree.

Mancini is a huge fan of ­Ibrahimovic’s and reckons he would be a huge hit in the Premier League.

The Swedish international is on a season-long loan at Milan from Barcelona and has scored 14 goals in 26 games for the Serie A giants.

Milan chiefs have an option to buy Ibrahimovic in a £26m deal, but Mancini is convinced he can outbid Milan and lure the former Juventus and Inter Milan star to City on a deal worth around £200,000 a week.

The 29-year-old has hinted he would be interested in a switch to English football and believes big-spending City could be on the verge of being a major force.

But a potential move to Manchester will all depend on what Mancini decides to do with Balotelli and City securing a top-four finish this season.

Source: Daily Star

Sorry to break the news to our friends at the Daily Star but they got this rumour slightly wrong.

Roberto Mancini will atempt to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Eastlands this summer, but Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola does not want Mario Balotelli.

Guardiola hates having tempestuous characters in his dressing room who could upset the balance of his squad.

When he first took over at the Nou Camp he got rid of the big-name ‘charlies’ such as Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho.

Guardiola does not want another one in Balotelli.

But the Barca boss would take another City striker – Carlos Tevez.

Tevez handed in a transfer request earlier in the season (before withdrawing it) amid problems in his private life.

He wants his family to join him in Europe but the mother of his children will not move to a country so unlike Argentina.

Rumours keep circulating that Tevez will quit Manchester this summer and hopes a move to Spain will entice his family over.

Mancini will be unhappy to lose his captain but will be satisfied if he gets Ibrahimovic in return.

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Manchester City Turn Attention To £33m Real Madrid Defender As Dani Alves Signs New Barcelona Deal

Manchester City will turn their sights to Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos after losing out on Barcelona full-back Dani Alves.

Ramos, 24, joined Madrid in 2005 from Sevilla for £23million but contract extension negotiations have stalled amid suggestions of a row with manager Jose Mourinho. Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini likes the Spain World Cup winner because he can play at right-back and centre-half.

Madrid do not want to sell the fan-favourite but if Ramos refuses to sign a new contract the La Liga giants will have little choice. City will attempt to sign the £33million-rated player in the summer as Dani Alves signed a new four-year deal at Barcelona. The 27-year-old was linked with moves to Eastlands and to Chelsea after contract negotiations broke down.

“Barcelona announces that they have reached an agreement with Dani Alves to extend his contractual relationship with the club for three more seasons until June 30, 2015,” read a club statement on their website.

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[LA LIGA] Barcelona 1-0 Zaragoza

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[CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona

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[La Liga] Barcelona 3 – 0 Atletico Madrid

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[Copa Del Rey] Almeria 0-3 Barcelona

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Hercules 0-3 Barcelona

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Barcelona 5–0 Almeria

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Barcelona 3 – 0 Racing Santander

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Betis 3-1 Barcelona

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Barcelona 4-1 Malaga

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