"Cesc hoped for Barça move" says Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen has admitted that Cesc Fabregas told his Arsenal team-mates he wanted to join Barcelona in the summer.

Spain midfielder Fabregas, who is Gunners captain, was linked with the Liga champions in what became a public tug of war until Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger put his foot down.

Fabregas, who joined Arsenal as a teenager from Barca’s youth team, agreed to stay but is widely expected to leave for the Camp Nou next season.

"Cesc carries Barcelona in the heart, in his DNA, therefore it is impossible for him to forget about them," Vermaelen told Talksport.

"He was determined to go to Barca last summer, he more or less confessed it in the dressing room. But that is past history.

"Now he is 100 per cent ready to put his all in to a great season with Arsenal."