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DM.has('',"article"); DM.has('js-article-text',"lightBox"); Cesc Fabregas price war: Livid Arsenal hit back at Barcelona by pushing fee to £80m
By Simon Cass
Last updated at 11:35 AM on 20th May 2010
Arsenal last night hit back at Barcelona as they battle to cling on to their talismanic skipper Cesc Fabregas.
The Premier League club said Fabregas is going nowhere unless the Spanish giants stump up a fee in the region of the £80million that lured Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid from Manchester United.
Barcelona had hoped to unveil both Fabregas and David Villa at the Nou Camp tomorrow and believe they have agreed terms with the Arsenal player.
His club, however, remain in no mood to do business despite the 23-year-old telling Arsene Wenger on Tuesday that he wants to quit the Emirates to go back to his boyhood team.
New faces: As Barca unveil David Villa (right) the battle for Fabregas goes on...
After signing Villa from Valencia for £34m yesterday, Barcelona’s focus has switched to tying up a deal for Fabregas with the same speed.
Indeed, Barca’s desire to rush through the midfielder’s capture — they want to conclude a deal before he joins up with the Spain World Cup squad in Madrid on Monday — could prove to be their undoing.
Having intimated the club would take an offer in the region of £50m to even consider doing business, Wenger and the Arsenal ’s board are now so determined to hang on to their captain that they are adamant it will take somewhere in the region of £80m for them to sell.
That would provide Wenger with the funds to land players normally only within the grasp of Barca, Real, Chelsea, Manchester United and, more recently, Manchester City.
Farewell? Will Arsene Wenger be able to keep his young protege at the Emirates?
There is no prospect of Barca parting with that kind of cash for Fabregas, although there is every possibility that an opening bid in the region of £30m will be faxed through to Arsenal today. As of last night no offer, official or otherwise, had been forthcoming.
The fact that Fabregas has five years remaining on his deal at the Emirates, not four as previously believed, certainly strengthens Arsenal’s hand.
Barca were yesterday playing a cagey game, no doubt mindful of remaining on the right side of FIFA’s regulations regarding transfers.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: ‘It’s great news that he wants to come here and I think that one day Cesc will have to come to Barca. But what matters is Arsenal and what their decision is. They think he is a very important player for them. We have to respect that.
‘I wish it was as soon as possible. But we have to respect Arsenal’s wishes and the contract he has. At times the wishes of players do not come true because they are under contract.’
If you can't beat them... Cesc Fabregas scores a penalty against Barca to makeit 2-2 in the Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Fabregas was doubtless hoping for a much more committed message from Barca after plucking up the courage to tell Wenger of his desire to leave.
As Arsenal dig in, Fabregas could even be forced to hand in a written transfer request. Such an unedifying end to his seven years at Arsenal is the last thing the 23-year-old midfielder wants even if he has made his mind up to go.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
© Associated Newspapers Ltd
By Simon Cass
Last updated at 11:35 AM on 20th May 2010
Arsenal last night hit back at Barcelona as they battle to cling on to their talismanic skipper Cesc Fabregas.
The Premier League club said Fabregas is going nowhere unless the Spanish giants stump up a fee in the region of the £80million that lured Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid from Manchester United.
Barcelona had hoped to unveil both Fabregas and David Villa at the Nou Camp tomorrow and believe they have agreed terms with the Arsenal player.
His club, however, remain in no mood to do business despite the 23-year-old telling Arsene Wenger on Tuesday that he wants to quit the Emirates to go back to his boyhood team.
New faces: As Barca unveil David Villa (right) the battle for Fabregas goes on...
After signing Villa from Valencia for £34m yesterday, Barcelona’s focus has switched to tying up a deal for Fabregas with the same speed.
Indeed, Barca’s desire to rush through the midfielder’s capture — they want to conclude a deal before he joins up with the Spain World Cup squad in Madrid on Monday — could prove to be their undoing.
Having intimated the club would take an offer in the region of £50m to even consider doing business, Wenger and the Arsenal ’s board are now so determined to hang on to their captain that they are adamant it will take somewhere in the region of £80m for them to sell.
That would provide Wenger with the funds to land players normally only within the grasp of Barca, Real, Chelsea, Manchester United and, more recently, Manchester City.
Farewell? Will Arsene Wenger be able to keep his young protege at the Emirates?There is no prospect of Barca parting with that kind of cash for Fabregas, although there is every possibility that an opening bid in the region of £30m will be faxed through to Arsenal today. As of last night no offer, official or otherwise, had been forthcoming.
The fact that Fabregas has five years remaining on his deal at the Emirates, not four as previously believed, certainly strengthens Arsenal’s hand.
Barca were yesterday playing a cagey game, no doubt mindful of remaining on the right side of FIFA’s regulations regarding transfers.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: ‘It’s great news that he wants to come here and I think that one day Cesc will have to come to Barca. But what matters is Arsenal and what their decision is. They think he is a very important player for them. We have to respect that.
‘I wish it was as soon as possible. But we have to respect Arsenal’s wishes and the contract he has. At times the wishes of players do not come true because they are under contract.’
If you can't beat them... Cesc Fabregas scores a penalty against Barca to makeit 2-2 in the Champions League quarter-final, first legFabregas was doubtless hoping for a much more committed message from Barca after plucking up the courage to tell Wenger of his desire to leave.
As Arsenal dig in, Fabregas could even be forced to hand in a written transfer request. Such an unedifying end to his seven years at Arsenal is the last thing the 23-year-old midfielder wants even if he has made his mind up to go.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
© Associated Newspapers Ltd
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