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Cesc Fabregas propaganda war - Barcelona use TV station in bid to unsettle Arsenal captain

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 11:42 EDT, 3 August 2010

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Barcelona have risked enraging Arsenal by using their own TV channel to push for the signing of Cesc Fabregas.

The Catalans are so frustrated at their attempts to prise the midfielder from Arsenal that they are considering Everton's Mikel Arteta as an alternative.

However, Barca star Andres Iniesta has kept up the public fight for Fabregas by telling Barca TV that the 23-year-old would be a perfect addition to their ranks.

Cesc Fabregas is welcomed to his hometown of Arenys de Mar

Home: Fabregas is welcomed to his hometown of Arenys de Mar at the weekend

'We all want him to come because he will help us to go up a level - he's very complete,' said Iniesta. 'However, he belongs to Arsenal and the two clubs must understand each other (in order for a deal to be done).

Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta (right) embrace after winning the World Cup final

Middle men: Fabregas and Iniesta (right) embrace after winning the World Cup final

'He will be very happy here - Barcelona's style of play is very well suited to him.'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has tried to brush off Barca's interest as 'noise', while Gunners chiefs behind the scenes have voiced their displeasure at constant propaganda unsettling their captain.

Nou Camp president Sandro Rossell complained that the very public pursuit had hurt his chances of signing Fabregas, but he has done little to silence his players or colleagues.

Arsenal rejected an opening £29m bid in June and have made it clear they will not enter negotiations.

Barca insiders are now hoping Fabregas will try to force a move when he returns to club duites on Thursday, but the Catalans are being forced to look at alternative signings.

Everton star Arteta has been suggested as an alternative by coaches who know him well within the club.

Prank: Fabregas - pictured with Spain team-mate Pepe Reina (left) - was forced to wear a Barca shirt when returning to Spain as a World Cup winner

Like Fabregas, the 28-year-old was a trainee at Barcelona but left for Rangers in 2002 after failing to make the grade.

His agent says there has not yet been contact from the champions of Spain, but reportedly told newspaper El Mundo Deportivo that Arteta would love to make the move.

Plan B: Barcelona are keen on Everton star Arteta

The £12million-rated star has told David Moyes that he wants to return home, but the Everton boss won't let him go cheap.

Arteta and his wife, Lorena, have been told their one-year-old son Gabriel is partially sighted.

And now the couple plan to return to their homeland in order to be closer to their families for the sake of their son.

The former Real Sociedad player is gaining admirers in Catalonia because he is seen as a player whose defensive skills are more developed than Fabregas.

His signing would not only be cheaper, but it may also negate the need to replace Yaya Toure.

Barca technical staff see Arteta as someone who could stand in for defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets - who is lacking cover since Toure's departure to Manchester City - as well as playing in the roles occupied by Iniesta and Xavi.