Barca target Fabregas in Gunners crisis talks
CESC FABREGAS was last night on collision course with Arsene Wenger after reputedly telling the boss he wants to leave Arsenal and rejoin Barcelona.
The Gunners captain reportedly flew back to London from Spain for crisis talks with Wenger – on the day when Barca president Joan Laporta hinted he would be interested in bringing Fabregas home to his boyhood club for a fee of around £35m.
Laporta is to lure Fabregas from the Gunners in an audacious £80m double swoop with Valencia striker David Villa, who is already in talks with the Catalan club.
Fabregas, who was plucked by Wenger from Barca’s youth ranks in 2003, sparked the transfer frenzy after admitting recently he would like to play for Barca again and his desire to sort his future out before he represents Spain in this summer’s World Cup.
“I think I would like to go to Barcelona, whether or not they want me is another thing,” the 23-year-old said.
Laporta admitted yesterday he was surprised by Fabregas’ remarks and hinted he would like the opportunity to make his wish come true.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Laporta has also confirmed that another former Gunner, Thierry Henry, looks set to leave Camp Nou this summer with a move to America’s MLS most likely.
“It’s something we are talking with him about,” he admitted.