Cesc Fabregas hints dream Barcelona switch may be on the rocks as star midfielder reaffirms his love for Arsenal
By Christopher Davies for MailOnline and Sportsmail Reporter
Cesc Fabregas has hinted that his dream move to Barcelona may not happen.
The Arsenal skipper has told boss Arsene Wenger privately that he wants to join his boyhood club this summer, but the north London club are dogged in their determination to keep the star and have so far rejected all approaches from the Catalan giants.
With the two clubs locked in stalemate over a transfer Fabregas appeared to be hedging his bets by not committing publicly to either club, saying 'everything is possible', and reiterating his love for the Gunners.
Frustration: Cesc Fabregas has made it plain he wants to leave Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger is standing firm and refusing to entertain a bid from Barcelona
Fabregas said: 'I haven't said that I will definitely leave Arsenal. Everything is possible. Now I have my head and my focus on the World Cup.
'I am very proud to be captain of Arsenal and I love the club and have respect for them. It gave me such pride to be made captain.'
Sandro Rosell, who officially takes over as Barcelona president today, plans to fly to London in an effort to secure the signature of Fabregas.
Barca have already had one bid of £29million turned down for their former junior player but Rosell knows he is expected to close the deal for the Spain international.
Wenger said on French television that his captain is 'not for sale at any price' but Rosell will test Arsenal's resolve with an improved bid of £35m.
Focused: Fabregas is concentrating on the World Cup with Spain... for now
Financing a huge deal shouldn't be a problem for Barca, who have already signed David Villa from Valencia for £35m and hope to recoup £32m from the sale of Yaya Toure to Manchester City.
Spain play Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday when Fabregas is expected to start on the bench for the fifth time in five games at South Africa.
Most watched Sport videos
- Amazon release '99' trailer, documenting Man United's treble
- Ryan Garcia not allowed to pitch and kicked out of Mets game
- Kate Abdo breaks down in tears reminiscing about her late father
- Would back-to-back trebles make Man City the best club side ever?
- Man City fans grab selfies with United legend ahead of Madrid tie
- Football Pundit Eli Aluko speaks on 'Institutional racism'
- Barcelona fans go head to head with police ahead of quarter finals
- Mikel Arteta reflects on 'disappointing' result against Bayern
- Portsmouth fans scale pubs during wild scenes after promotion
- Moment masked thieves steal players valuables at the Pirelli Stadium
- Ryan Garcia SHOVED by Devin Haney on Empire State building
- James McClean salutes Wrexham fans singing an anti-King chant