"Fabregas wants to join us this summer" FC Barcelona

FC BARCELONA are saying they have opened negotiations over a deal to buy Cesc.

Rafael Yuste, the club’s vice-president, says that although the Spanish midfielder has told him he wants to join the club, Arsenal remain unwilling to allow their prized asset to leave. In an interview with a Catalonian radio station, Yuste also said that he expected to complete a deal for David Villa, the Valencia striker, in the coming days.

Last week, Fabregas appeared to open the door for a move by claiming he wanted to resolve his future before next month’s World Cup finals. The Spain midfield player said that, should he leave Arsenal, he would only consider a return to the Catalan club. Fabregas, who is only one season into a new five-year contract, is expected to hold talks with Arsène Wenger about his future today.

“Negotiations are progressing well, especially in the case of Villa,” Yuste said. “The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement. But what makes it easier is that both players want to come to Barca.”

Fàbregas flirted with a move to Spain last summer but said that he had a responsibility to the North London club after being named captain. He may reconsider that position after Arsenal ended their fifth consecutive season without a trophy, disproving Wenger’s prediction in October that his team would win silverware this term. “Before I go to the World Cup, I want to know my future,” the 23-year-old said.

“I don’t want to go there with something on my mind as that is of no benefit to anybody. If I decide to leave Arsenal, it will be to wear the shirt of Barcelona. I don’t know when this will happen though. I’m very happy at Arsenal. I’m in no hurry to leave the club.”