• Premier League

Arsenal negotiating sale of Cesc - Guardiola

ESPN staff
July 19, 2011
Cesc Fabregas may get his wish and move to Barcelona © Getty Images
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Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Arsenal have agreed to negotiate over the sale of Cesc Fabregas.

The Catalans have been hunting the Spain international midfielder for a number of years, having failed to land Fabregas last summer.

Arsenal were steadfast in the face of repeated efforts from Barca last summer and have maintained a similar stance this year.

Arsene Wenger has spoken of his confidence that Fabregas will stay at Emirates Stadium and Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood said on Tuesday that nothing had changed with regard to their captain.

However, Guardiola has countered those claims by stating the two clubs are talking about a transfer.

"This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it," Guardiola said. "Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31. We will try to reach an agreement.

"There is a sum of money in the strongbox set aside for the signing. If it does not work out, it will be left in place for something else.

"Cesc will make us better, we're interested, but if it's not to be then maybe next year and we use the money for something else."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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