Arsenal have moved to discourage Barcelona and Real Madrid from making an approach for midfielder Cesc Fabregas by placing a £40 million price tag on the Spaniard’s head.
Manager Arsene Wenger is eager to generate funds to carry out squad improvements at the Emirates Stadium.
Though he would be very reluctant to see Fabregas leave, sources inside the club told the Sun that a figure of that amount would necessarily put pressure on Wenger to sell.
Fabregas remains one of Wenger’s stand out performers and at 22 has much more to offer in his career.
However, it will not have escaped the Arsenal hierarchy’s notice that when he was out injured last season the club went on a terrific 22 match unbeaten run.
Real and Barcelona, where Fabregas played as a youth team player, have both signalled their intentions to bid for the Spain international, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta last week saying as much as he encouraged Fabregas to speak out in favour of a return to the Catalan club.
“Cesc has Barcelona in his DNA and I think one day he should play for Barca.
“We all like him very much – the technical director, the manager, as well as me. He’s always been in our thoughts.”
Fabregas, too, has been vocal within the last week over his displeasure at Arsenal’s recent record.
”The absence of titles at Arsenal is what angers me the most,” he said.
“Cristiano Ronaldo said he’s leaving Manchester united because he had nothing else to win.
“For me right now it is the exact opposite, seeing the impotence.”
Manager Arsene Wenger is eager to generate funds to carry out squad improvements at the Emirates Stadium.
Though he would be very reluctant to see Fabregas leave, sources inside the club told the Sun that a figure of that amount would necessarily put pressure on Wenger to sell.
Fabregas remains one of Wenger’s stand out performers and at 22 has much more to offer in his career.
However, it will not have escaped the Arsenal hierarchy’s notice that when he was out injured last season the club went on a terrific 22 match unbeaten run.
Real and Barcelona, where Fabregas played as a youth team player, have both signalled their intentions to bid for the Spain international, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta last week saying as much as he encouraged Fabregas to speak out in favour of a return to the Catalan club.
“Cesc has Barcelona in his DNA and I think one day he should play for Barca.
“We all like him very much – the technical director, the manager, as well as me. He’s always been in our thoughts.”
Fabregas, too, has been vocal within the last week over his displeasure at Arsenal’s recent record.
”The absence of titles at Arsenal is what angers me the most,” he said.
“Cristiano Ronaldo said he’s leaving Manchester united because he had nothing else to win.
“For me right now it is the exact opposite, seeing the impotence.”
