Cesc stands by Barca wish

Gunners skipper still hoping to head home at some stage

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 16th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cesc stands by Barca wish

Fabregas: World Cup winner

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Cesc Fabregas is refusing to discuss his future, but claims he stands by comments he has made in the past.

The Arsenal midfielder, who tasted World Cup glory with Spain at this summer's World Cup, continues to find himself at the centre of a long-running transfer saga.

Primera Liga giants Barcelona have been chasing his signature for a while, with the player himself admitting that he would welcome a switch to Camp Nou.

As a Catalan native, Fabregas has often expressed a desire to return to his roots at some stage.

It was reported prior to the World Cup that he had informed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger of his wish to head back to Spain, and Barca subsequently saw an official approach knocked back.

Things have failed to progress since then, with events in South Africa taking centre stage, but the transfer mill is set to spring back to life now the World Cup is over.

Future

Fabregas is determined to steer clear of the speculation for as long as possible, but he has admitted that he still harbours an ambition to play for Barca sooner rather than later.

"I have not spoken to anybody in the last few days and I want to ignore anything regarding my future for now," he 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."

Reports in Spain suggest Barca officials have once again looked to make contact with their Arsenal counterparts, with newly-appointed president Sandro Rosell keen to complete his summer transfer business as quickly as possible.

It is claimed that Barca are only prepared to hold out until the end of the July in their efforts to land Fabregas before turning their attention elsewhere.

Comments (10)

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Mark S (arsenal fan) says...

This has got out of hand as these things normally do. If he wants to go to Barca, fine, but next year should be the earliest. He signed a contract until 2014 and should be held to it. Barca have to realise that current transfer market is neither here nor there when they are trying to sign a player only half way through his current contract, plus if they wanted him that badly, why haven't they improved their bid before now? Cesc, stay at Arsenal and win a trophy as captain. If you go to Barca, you will not play half as much football. Stay where you are and help the team that made you win at least 1 major trophy.

Posted 13:03 16th July 2010

Duncan Odima (Arsenal fan) says...

Well well well, let the guy go. of course after we have been paid what we are asking for. He is definitely a good player and deserves "better". We will be much stronger without him and he is not going to be last best player in Arsenal. But if i were to advice Cesc this is what i would say. Play for Arsenal for two seasons and go to Barca at 25/26. You will have learnt it all. if you go now, even breaking into the first team will be problematic. The same guys in Barca are the ones that put you on the bench in the national team. You will be second string and might miss recognition. your ambitions should be beyond playing for Barca to winning trophies with a team that you are the back bone. Not already built teams.

Posted 12:41 16th July 2010

Hamit Deniz (Arsenal fan) says...

As World Class Cesc is, we all know that he's gonna go back to Barca someday. As Arsenal fans we all want a Mr Arsenal like Tony Adams, who is truely dedicated to the club. The only players that possibly are going to be at Arsenal for the long hall from the start of their early careers, are British Players that had only dreamed of playing for Arsenal & try to win everything with em & be proud to be in the clubs history books... Players like Cesc would always want to go back & make a name of themselves in their childhood club. which I don't blame him for as that was always his plan. I think someone like Van Persie would stay throughout his career but thats only cos he had so many injuries that hes so greatful that Arsenal still favour him as hes great whenever hes fit... So therefore we need to build players like Ramsey, Gibbs, Wiltshire & Walcott, cos they are the players that have every desire to stay at the club, if they were treated right. It's looking likely to be the case... C'mon u Gooners :D

Posted 12:29 16th July 2010

Simon Singh (Arsenal fan) says...

I dont understand why the press dont run stories about how Barca are tapping up cesc?? Nearly every single player at barcelona has made stupid remarks about wanting cesc back, Messi even went as far to say he sent a TEXT to cesc saying "come back" if that isnt tapping up what is??? I can garuantee if this was a Liverpool or Man UTD player the press would be on Barca;s back straight away!

Posted 12:26 16th July 2010

Andrew Hendry (Barcelona fan) says...

Everybody has got to realise that football is a business, its all about the money these days maybe not for players but for the club, an when u look at it, football players play for trophies and arsenal just havent presented any lately and with fabregas being a barca boy at heart, he will go back to barca sooner or later, personally i think he should stay at arsenal another year cause i like arsenal and feel if they are to win anything this year, there going to need him but barca on the other hand wont really play him much until xavi starts to lose legs. The way barcelona approach players is the way any team do it these days and as for hleb and henry....henry was past it, he had half a good season and that is it and hleb just didnt fit into the plans after time, 2 players tho, u have to remember the others, what about pique???? barca boy at heart, went to man u, fergie didnt realise the talent and barca got a top quality defender for 5 mil! they dont buy players to ruin them...every club has buys that dont work out, Every club! Fabregas will stay and barca will bring in a more attacking midfielder...maybe bring in Gourcuff!!!

Posted 12:24 16th July 2010

Ted Winchester (Arsenal fan) says...

We all knew he would rejoin Barcelona at some point of his career but I had hoped that time would be in 3 - 5 years not now. If he wants to go Barcelona have to match his value, £50 Million, we don't need to sell him on the cheap and he has to respect his contract.

Posted 12:22 16th July 2010

Ben Kelly (Manchester United fan) says...

Remember what Barca did for Henry? Made him a Champions League winner which is why he signed for them...

Posted 12:21 16th July 2010

John Ballard says...

GIVE THE GUY A BREAK. He'll probably "do a Ronaldo" and go there next year.

Posted 11:31 16th July 2010

J P (Arsenal fan) says...

Having seen the way he acted on the team bus with Pique I don't think he is fit to wear the Arsenal shirt let alone be captain. Sell him for £50 million and get some dedicated footballers in who don't think the grass is always greener. Fabregas, just remember what Barcelona did for Hleb and Henry!!

Posted 11:26 16th July 2010

Dennis G (Arsenal fan) says...

"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." tough. If barca won't pay the money he's worth then he won't be leaving. And i suspent that even if they offer ¿50 million Arsenal will still turn this down. Cesc shouldn't make comments like this but he obviously can't see that Barca players and officials are simply trying to drive a wedge between the player and the Arsenal fans so in the end the fans are so angry with Barca and with cesc at the constant transfer rumours that they unwittingly force the club to sell by booing the player. this is Barca's transfer policy and its a shame that cesc doesn't realise what is happening is that barca are using him to try and force arsenal to sell. He should realise that Barca don't have the money right now, arsenal will be more willing to sell next year and apologize to arsenal fans for the comments he made (even if there isn't really anything for him to apologize for) so that he doesn't have to endure a season at arsenal where the arsenal similar to the one adebayor did. of course Cesc has mroe class than adebayor but barca certainly don't and if he continues to go along with their ridiculous transfer 'policy' he will be tainted with the same brush.

Posted 11:26 16th July 2010
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