Barcelona are ready to make a summer move for Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, according to a report from El Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish newspaper claims that the Catalan midfielder has told his friends and family that he has agreed a four-year deal with Barca.
The only thing that now apparently remains to be sorted out is a an agreement between the Gunners and the Spanish giants.
However, Arsene Wenger is unlikley to stand in the player's way as he is well aware of his strong desire to move back to his boyhood club.
El Mundo Deportivo speculates that a fee of approximately £34 million (€40m) will be the fee in the deal, whilst Yaya Toure could move in the opposite direction.
Real Madrid, Inter and Manchester City are also reportedly considering moves for the player.
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure seems certain to leave the Catalan club this summer with Sport quoting his agent as saying there is a 90 per cent chance he will depart, with Arsenal the most likely destination.
"The player has a 90 per cent chance of leaving Barcelona this summer," Toure's agent, Dimitri Seljuk, is quoted as saying.
Seljuk also suggested that the reason the Ivorian midfielder has not featured as much this season is so that the club could avoid paying financial incentives stipulated in his contract.
"Unfortunately, this season, Toure has not played what he would have liked. I think that this is due to a clause in his contract renewal. He has a major financial bonus if he plays more than 60 per cent of official matches of the season."
The agent also claimed that Toure, who turns 27 today, is the best player in the world in his position and would command the interest of of most European clubs if he were made available.
"Toure is the best player in the world in his position. He can play in defence or as an attacking midfielder, which he showed at Monaco, where he played in five different positions in five games," he noted before adding that a deal with Arsenal may be on the cards.
"He is happy in Barcelona but I think most clubs in Europe are interested in the services of Yaya Toure. In any case, Arsenal are interested in him and I think we can do something with the club of Arsene Wenger."
It is suggested that Barcelona would be willing to let Toure depart for the Emirates as a makeweight in a deal to bring Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas back to Catalunya
its a matter of time before he leaves for barcelona. either this season or next.
Wenger must be fearing the worst when Fabregas goes with the Spain national team, where he will be hoodwinked to join Barcelona...
AW wont leave arsenal for barca or real madrid.
at arsenal he handle all issues, even non footballing matters such as financial management.
at real madrid or barca, do you think he can call the shots for whom to be sign and not sign. his policy on footballing matters really matters?
i dont think even man city or aston villa will go for him knowing of his stubornness in trransfer market and financial balance more than trophy.
BARCA FAN ... Cesc Fabregas
The Gunners skipper will decide his future this weekend after crunch talks with boss Arsene Wenger. But reports in Spain quoted Fabregas as saying: "If I ever leave Arsenal it will be to play for Barcelona.
"I would like to go, whether they want me or not is another matter. "I am 23 years old and I have a long career in front of me. I've never hidden the fact that playing for Barcelona is a dream that I would like to fulfil."
Fabregas, recovering from a broken leg, wants the matter resolved quickly so he can concentrate on helping Spain in the World Cup.
He added: "I would like to know my future before the World Cup because to play with other things in my head will not benefit anyone."
Fabregas' words will come as a huge shock to Arsenal fans who were desperately hoping their best player would stay at the club.
He has grown increasingly frustrated over Arsenal's inability to win trophies, while Barca continue to bring in silverware.
According to Spanish sources, he is also concerned about Wenger's long-term intentions.
The Arsenal boss only has a year left on his own contract - and has not yet agreed to carry on after that.
There is also little sign of big-name players moving to the Emirates during the summer, casting further doubt on Arsenal's ability to challenge for the major trophies.
And there goes arsenal again competing for 4th place lol.
If he does join Barcelona, Arsenal can forget about qualifying for 4th place and play in the CL. Villa, Man City, Spurs and Liverpool will be challenging not only 4th place, but 3rd place as well. Man United and Chelsea are still the top 2 teams. Arsenal is seriously not finishing 4th place if he joins Barcelona.
Who don't love to join Barcelona?
sooner later he will join back bacelona
Who is going to take over Fabregas' place?
Denilson? Diaby? Wilshere?
Originally posted by Rooney9:If he does join Barcelona, Arsenal can forget about qualifying for 4th place and play in the CL. Villa, Man City, Spurs and Liverpool will be challenging not only 4th place, but 3rd place as well. Man United and Chelsea are still the top 2 teams. Arsenal is seriously not finishing 4th place if he joins Barcelona.
no fear lah, spurs looks like a one-off wonder while villa is the perennial almost there team, arse will at least be fourth....pool needs a complete makeover, next year they should be challenging everton for the lesser known european place....
Originally posted by Y_Shun:Who is going to take over Fabregas' place?
Denilson? Diaby? Wilshere?
Wilshere have what it takes to make it in the future. I watched this lad playing at Bolton, and believe me, for his age to play like that, it's amazing.