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Barcelona confirm Cesc contact

Cesc Fabregas is battling to overcome injury to make the World Cup © Getty Images

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Barcelona have confirmed they have contacted Arsenal about Cesc Fabregas, but have said no bid has been lodged for the midfielder.

Fabregas has already told the Gunners he wants to return to the club where he began his career, but Arsenal are desperate to hold on to their captain.

Barcelona's presidential elections will take place on June 13 and that is likely to be the focus of the club - leading director general Joan Oliver to state that the pursuit could be a drawn-out one.

"There is no offer yet," Oliver stated on Barca's official website. "It's true the player has expressed his wish to play for Barca, perhaps this coming season.

"We have had first contacts with Arsenal in which we made known our intention to talk and that's the current situation.

"We are not in any hurry and you never know how long these operations can take."

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has expressed surprise that the club have not yet received a bid for Fabregas.

"As far as I am concerned, he is our player," Hill-Wood told the Daily Star. "If they want to make a bid it is up to them.

"We are very surprised [by the lack of an offer], but delighted."

Former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb, who has failed to make any impact at Barca since his move in 2008, has urged Fabregas to reject advances from Camp Nou.

"I stay in touch with Cesc a lot and it's hard for me to judge what he should do," Hleb was quoted as saying in the Sun. "He and Gael Clichy are both very good players who must make their own decisions about their future. But I would advise them to stay.

"It didn't work out for Arsenal this season but, if Arsene Wenger keeps the side together, they can really go far next year. They play great football. It's partly a question of experience and next season Arsenal will have more of it if everyone stays. All things being equal, I think they have a very good chance of the title next season."

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