Cesc Fabregas is understood to have told Arsene Wenger he wants to leave Arsenal in order to rejoin Barcelona this summer.
Midfielder to meet Wenger to discuss desire to join Barcelona
Cesc Fabregas is understood to have told Arsene Wenger he wants to leave Arsenal in order to rejoin Barcelona as president Joan Laporta hints at making a bid.
Writing in Spanish newspaper
AS, Guillem Balague has revealed that Fabregas has flown in to London from Barcelona to discuss his future at Emirates Stadium with Wenger.
Fabregas recently revealed that he does want to play for former club Barca one day and is keen for his future to be resolved before representing Spain at the World Cup finals.
It now appears that the midfielder is ready to ask for permission to join the newly-crowned Primera Liga champions next season and a fee is likely to be in the region of £30-35million.
Meanwhile, Barcelona president Laporta has suggested it may be the right time to bid for the 23-year-old following Fabregas' comments at a promotional event last week.
The Arsenal captain, who was plucked from Barca's youth ranks in 2003, had said, 'I think I would like to go to Barcelona, whether or not they want me is another thing'.
Laporta was surprised by Fabregas' frankness and reckons it is worth considering a move for the influential midfielder.
"It is remarkable that the player has said that," he told the club's
official website.
"If the technical secretary [Txiki Begiristain] believes we must make an effort, we will do and will talk to Arsenal."
Villa talks
Laporta also confirmed transfer talks were well underway with Valencia over a deal to bring striker David Villa to Camp Nou.
"We are in the negotiating process and everything is going in the right direction," Laporta added.
"We hope it is resolved soon. Everything is on track and hopefully we can reach an agreement."
