• Premier League

Real Madrid deny Fabregas link

ESPN staff
February 14, 2011
Cesc Fabregas was in the Arsenal team that beat Real Madrid on their way to the 2006 Champions League final © PA Photos
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Real Madrid have moved to dampen speculation that they are set to launch a summer bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Gunners held onto the 23-year-old last summer in the face of at least one bid from Barcelona - despite Fabregas' desire to rejoin his boyhood club.

While Barcelona appear to have gone cold on the idea of signing Fabregas, with Carles Rexach admitting any deal would be "difficult", reports have suggested Real are keen to swoop for the midfielder.

There were even suggestions that the Madrid side launched a €65 million bid in January - but director general Jorge Valdano has rejected this speculation.

"We never made an offer for him [Fabregas] and we haven't spoken with Arsenal either," Valdano said. "We have a good relationship with Arsenal and we don't want any misunderstanding."

Fabregas has seen his influence at Emirates Stadium diminish this season, with Samir Nasri sharing some of the creative burden, leading to talk that Arsenal could be receptive to offers next summer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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