• Premier League

Cesc not a priority for Barca - Laporta

ESPN staff
February 15, 2011
Cesc Fabregas has close ties to Barcelona © PA Photos
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Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta feels justice will have been done if the club prise Cesc Fabregas away from Arsenal, but claims the signing of the midfielder is not a priority for the Catalans.

Arsenal swooped to sign Fabregas in 2003 after he came through the Barca academy and the Spanish giants are still smarting. The midfielder has flourished since heading to London and Barca would be securing the finished article, should they land his signature.

They have tried and failed to sign Fabregas in the past and Laporta expects them to be successful in the future and believes it would be justice after accusing Arsenal of "fishing".

"The English come here to do 'fishing'. They came to fish for Gerard Pique and they came to fish for Cesc. It is an issue of justice that we now want to recover them," Laporta, who failed to land Fabregas during his tenure, said.

"I would have liked it if Cesc came to Barca in the way that [Gerard] Pique came. He abandoned Manchester United, making it clear he was going to Barca. They were players who were formed here."

Laporta feels Barca will bide their time before making another move for Fabregas, given the midfield talent already at the club.

"Cesc is a great player and I would like him to come back," Laporta said. "But his signing is not urgent while we have Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets and [Seydou] Keita. I think next season or the one after he could come here."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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