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Guardiola: Fabregas's future is in Wenger's hands

Pep Guardiola places much importance on the trust of his players © Getty Images

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Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will not give up on signing Francesc Fabregas from Arsenal despite Arsene Wenger insisting all the talk over the proposed transfer must stop.

Although Guardiola did say the final decision on their move for Fabregas must lie with Arsenal, Wenger will surely be unhappy that yet again Barcelona have opened up the debate on his captain's future.

"I think bringing in Cesc will cost a lot,'' Guardiola said at a press conference on Monday. "We want him to come, but if Arsenal don't want to negotiate, he won't come.''

Guardiola also said he intends to stay at the Nou Camp long-term, despite only signing a one-year contract at the club.

"I'm very happy to continue for one more year,'' he said. "I want to keep on doing my job well and make people proud of us. I feel more comfortable with one-year contracts. I am grateful to the confidence shown in me by the new board in offering me a six-year contract, but I prefer working with short contracts, it's something personal.

"I need to feel that things are working and that what I am doing is right, but if everything is going well and I feel strong, I will carry on next year. I don't see any change, but if after this first year the feedback with the players, the feedback is not good or the results aren't good, I won't stay on.''

Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Eduardo is on the verge of leaving Emirates Stadium for Shakhtar Donetsk in a £6 million deal, according to reports in the British and Croatian press.

Eduardo remains a target for Aston Villa and Besiktas but Shakhtar, backed by billionaire chairman Rinat Akhmetov, are hoping to lure the Brazilian-born Croatia international with Champions League football and wages of around £50,000-a-week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.