• Premier League

Arsenal confirm Fabregas to join Barcelona

ESPN staff
August 14, 2011
Cesc Fabregas has been granted his wish to move to Barcelona © PA Photos
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Arsenal have admitted defeat in their bid to keep captain Cesc Fabregas at the club by confirming that they have agreed a deal to sell the midfielder to Barcelona.

The 24-year-old is having a medical in Barcelona on Monday before completing his transfer and being unveiled by the Spanish champions. Neither club has revealed the fee in question, but Fabregas will be handed Pep Guardiola's old No. 4 jersey.

The news brings an end to a saga that sparked into life last summer when Fabregas told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger that he wanted to return to his boyhood club, who he left in 2003 as a 16-year-old. Wenger stubbornly refused to let the Spain international leave at that time, but just over 12 months later he has given up on the battle to keep the wantaway star.

It has been suggested that Fabregas is willing to take a pay cut in order to force through the move, underlining his desperation to join the Champions League winners.

He played no part in Arsenal's pre-season campaign or their Premier League opener at Newcastle, with Wenger citing a lack of focus and a niggling injury.

Wenger said: "We have been clear that we didn't want Cesc to leave and that remains the case. However, we understand Cesc's desire to move to his home town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona. We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success."

Fabregas made 303 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 57 times in all competitions and claiming the record for youngest first-team player and goalscorer.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be able to hold on to France international Samir Nasri, a target for Manchester City and a player who the Londoners could lose on a free transfer next summer when his contract expires.

Ordinarily Nasri would have been earmarked as the natural successor to Fabregas in a central role but, with his future up the air, Wenger may be forced into the transfer market.

Shakhtar Donetsk claim that Arsenal have shown an interest in Brazil international midfielder Jadson, while Wenger is known to be keen to add a central defender.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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