• Premier League

Fabregas: United link 'invented'

Cesc Fabregas has dashed Manchester United's hopes of signing him by pledging to stay at Barcelona © AP

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Cesc Fabregas insists stories linking him with a move to Manchester United have been "invented" after pledging his future to Barcelona.

United had made two bids for Fabregas, 26, during the close season, with David Moyes reportedly ready to break the club's transfer record of £30.75 million with a third offer.

Having only returned to Camp Nou from Arsenal in August 2011, speculation that Fabregas wanted to return to the Premier League persisted, but he has seemingly put paid to any hopes United had of making him their first major summer signing.

"Triumphing in Barcelona has been my dream since I was a child," Fabregas said.

"I am very happy at Barcelona and I haven't spoken to any other club in the last two years.

"Stories have been invented. I was never given any sign from the club to make me think they didn't want me, I have always felt wanted here.

"I spoke to [Barca vice-president Josep] Bartomeu, the president [Sandro Rosell] in person and [manager] Tata [Martino] also told me he wanted me to stay and there's been no problem."

Martino had said on Wednesday that he expected Fabregas to stay at the club for the coming season.

He was talking to reporters after his side's 7-1 pre-season friendly win over a Thailand XI in Bangkok.

"[Fabregas] continues to be with us, and he will stay with us this season," Martino said when asked about the midfielder's future.

Martino also declined to speak about a possible €40 million bid lodged with Chelsea for centre-half David Luiz

"I am in Thailand, I do not know about negotiations which might be taking place," was the manager's answer to a question about Luiz, who Barca made an official move for on Wednesday morning according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barca's reported £35 million bid for Luiz is in part a concern for the fitness of Carles Puyol, Martino admitting the 35-year-old may not be fit for the start of the season.

"Right now I'm more worried about whether Puyol will recover," he told AS.

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