• Premier League

Fabregas to miss Benfica friendly

ESPNsoccernet staff and Harry Harris
August 5, 2011
Cesc Fabregas trained as normal on Friday © Getty Images
Enlarge

Cesc Fabregas has not travelled to Benfica for Arsenal's friendly game this weekend, sparking further speculation that a deal with Barcelona is close.

Reports on Friday suggested that Barcelona had failed once again with a bid of €32 million (£27.85 million) with an additional €6 million (£5.2 million) in variables, while Arsenal are holding out for €45 million (£40 million).

Fabregas is deciding whether he should speak out about his desire to quit Arsenal for Barca this summer, but a source revealed to ESPNsoccernet that he has not travelled with the rest of the squad to Portugal.

"Arsenal have landed in Lisbon by now, so everyone will see that Fabregas is not with the squad, and I am not going to say why he is not there," he said.

Manager Arsene Wenger was remaining tight-lipped on the prospect of Fabregas' exit. "He is just coming back from injury and is not ready to play in a game, but he is not injured," Wenger told a pre-match news conference in Lisbon, reported on arsenal.com.

"I do not want to speak about the transfer of Fabregas because I have done that three years now in every press conference so I don't think there is any more need to add something. I love Fabregas and I want him to stay, that is basically it.

"Everybody is free to think what they want. We cannot stop people raising questions."

© 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