• Premier League

Barcelona president plays down Fabregas hopes

ESPN staff
July 16, 2010
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said they would 'not go mad' trying to sign Cesc Fabregas © Getty Images
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Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas may not move to boyhood club Barcelona this summer after president Sandro Rosell admitted talks with the Gunners had stalled.

After stating at the start of the summer that he wished to leave Arsenal, Fabregas has been the subject of a sustained transfer campaign by the Spanish champions, who have seen an offer of €35 million rejected but retain a strong interest in their academy product.

A succession of Barca players have also praised Fabregas and spoken of their desire to see him arrive in Catalunya, most notably Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol who forced a Barca shirt over the head of their international team-mate when celebrating Spain's World Cup triumph.

But it appears as though Barca's public courtship of the Arsenal captain has not worked in their favour. President Rosell also says that Barcelona will not be pressured into making an excessive offer for Fabregas.

"Arsenal feels very hurt by Barca," said Rosell to Catalan TV3. "They don't want to listen to offers or sell and they are not putting the player on the market. There was a strong dispute a few months ago and they have not forgotten it.

"He will arrive, even if it is not now, it will be next year. We will see. One thing that is certain is that we will not go mad trying to sign him.

"No shareholder would pay €60 or €70 million for him. We will not go all out for him. We would only pay his value in the transfer market."

Fabregas said during the World Cup that he will not definitely leave Arsenal, but the Gunners captain has now reiterated that his wish is to return to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.

"I have not spoken to anybody in the last few days and I want to ignore anything regarding my future for now," Fabregas said. "I want to enjoy my holidays and I don't want to talk about Barcelona at this moment.

"I make no apologies for the comments I have made in the past. I have expressed my interest in returning and I stand by that, as that is my personal wish."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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