Filed under: Arsenal, Premier League, Football
After more than a year of courtship, there finally appears to be a breakthrough in one of the longest transfer sagas involving a Premier League club. Cesc Fabregas has moved a step closer to his move back to Barcelona.Arsenal fans may react with relief rather than anger when their captain moves back to Spain eight years after moving to London and eventually getting the platform to showcase his talent.
It has been a long year for followers of Fabregas' current club. Every time a Barca player talks about Fabregas they urge the move to happen, some thrust a shirt upon him during World Cup celebrations.
Now, according to Barca manager Pep Guardiola, Arsenal are now prepared to do business for the midfielder.
He told reporters: "This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it. Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31 and we'll try to reach an agreement.
"There is a sum of money set aside for this signing but if it doesn't work out it will be kept in the box for something else. We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad."
For Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, a deal would surely be preferred sooner rather than later, giving him time to shape his squad ahead of the new season.
To put it kindly, it was not a vintage season for Fabregas in the last campaign. He never fully explained in public the debacle of last summer other than the predictable statements about the club when it was decided he would stay.
Arsenal needed a leader as their season fizzled out but Fabregas did not provide it. Now they would be better off cashing in, banking the £35 million or more they will receive and concentrate on keeping Samir Nasri.
Wenger still insists he wants Fabregas to stay, reacting angrily to recent comments from Barca midfielder Xavi.
"What is important is that Cesc Fabregas has a contract at Arsenal, that the club want to keep him," Wenger told Sky Sports News.
"The rest is comment. I could find a player in Barcelona in exactly the same position. A mutual respect between the clubs should stop these types of comments. If it was true it is disrespectful and not the first time Xavi has been disrespectful to Arsenal Football Club."
The money from Fabregas could radically alter Wenger's squad, and Jack Wilshere's emergence softens the blow of losing their captain.
Supporters may fear Wenger choosing not to spend, although chief executive Ivan Gazidis has virtually urged his manager to invest wisely.
"We do have money that we can spend," he said. "The challenge for us is a little bit different for other clubs. We have to find players who can improve on positions we currently have and add some depth.
"We want to be winners, trophy-winners, and there is a relentless focus on doing the things we need to achieve that but we have to do them within the bounds of a sensible football club."
With potential new signings and Fabregas getting closer to his dream move back home, it could be a very different Arsenal next season.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/19/cesc-fabregas-move-from-arsenal-to-barcelona-edges-closer/
Wayne Rooney Wesley Sneijder William Gallas Xavi Zach Johnson
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