• Premier League

We still have the money to sign Cesc - Barcelona

ESPN staff
July 25, 2011
Could Cesc Fabregas yet return to Barcelona this summer? © PA Photos
Enlarge

Barcelona are still hopeful of signing Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas before the close of the summer transfer window, despite recently spending an initial £23 million on new forward Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean winger was officially unveiled at Camp Nou on Monday, after his protracted transfer from Udinese was finally completed. The club's sporting vice-president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, was on hand to welcome the 22-year-old to the club - where he also denied suggestions that the cost of the transfer has made it virtually impossible to also complete the capture of the Arsenal captain.

Barcelona have long seemed reluctant to match the Gunners' valuation of their talismanic midfielder, even before agreeing the expensive deal - which reportedly could reach £33m in incentives and additional payments - to bring in Sanchez.

Baromeu insisted the resources are still there to sign Fabregas - however, he did admit that the finances might be tight.

"They [the talks with Arsenal] are going in the right direction," Bartomeu said. "We will try and do what we can with the money we have.

"We have until August 30 to do things and I am sure we will."

Sanchez, meanwhile, is looking forward to learning from the players already in the Catalan club's squad.

"I am very happy and I came to Barcelona to learn from the best in the world like Xavi and [Lionel] Messi," he said. "I want to leave an impression and I hope to help Barcelona win more titles. Barcelona are the best team in the world.

"[Pep Guardiola] called me and for me this was very important. It gave me confidence that he wanted me."

When asked, perhaps mischievously, whether he would like to play with Fabregas, Sanchez added: "Of course."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices