Fab was forced to stay

Gunners skipper reflects on summer transfer saga

Last updated: 6th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fab was forced to stay

Fabregas: Barca target

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Cesc Fabregas has hinted that if it was down to him, he would have secured a switch to Barcelona this summer.

The midfielder was strongly linked with a return to his Catalan roots throughout the transfer window, with both parties making it clear that they wished to reach an agreement.

However, the deadline for deals passed last week and Gunners skipper Fabregas remains on the books at Emirates Stadium.

The World Cup winner is not the type of player to mope around and go through the motions as he attempts to force through a move to Camp Nou.

He is, though, a proud Barcelona native and admits his continued presence in North London is only down to Arsenal's stubborn refusal to discuss a deal with their Spanish rivals.

Fabregas is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail: "Barcelona did all they could to sign me but Arsenal told me I had to stay, that there was no way they were going to let me go.

"In the end I had to stay but the content of my conversation with Arsene Wenger will remain private."

Confident

While Fabregas is staying put for now, it does appear to be only a matter of time before Barca get their man.

They are confident a move can be put in place next summer and have already left their No.4 jersey open for his arrival.

Barca stars Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who have publicly called for a deal to be done throughout the summer, are also confident that their international colleague will soon be joining them back in his homeland.

Xavi said: "If the signing has not happened this year, it will happen next."

Iniesta said: "When you talk with him (Fabregas), you realise how excited he was about the prospect (of joining Barca)."

Comments (3)

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Gregory Smith (Arsenal fan) says...

I''m really getting sick of this saga. Fabregas is an adult, he made the decision to sign a long term contract with Arsenal, he decided to make that commitment. which meant that for the duration of that contract Arsenal basically owned his services. Yet he continues to moan, implying Arsenal are keeping him as a prisoner. Grow up Cesc, your not making yourself popular with Arsenal fans right now.

Posted 09:28 6th September 2010

Denis Ode (Arsenal fan) says...

Arsene pliz sell fab in january window he''s miserable n not commited then buy montolivo perfect replacment. Fab wont give 100% to arsenal

Posted 09:13 6th September 2010

Simon Drew (Newcastle United fan) says...

Shouldnt have signed a 5 year contract (no doubt with an increased wage) if he was so desperate to move on a year later.

Posted 08:58 6th September 2010
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