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Barcelona face 11-day deadline to buy Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas
Barcelona have 11 days to conclude a deal for Cesc Fabregas if they want to be sure of his inclusion in the Champions League, with Arsène Wenger now planning to select his captain for the start of the new season.
Having finished only fourth in the Premier League, Arsenal will on Friday learn their opponents for the final qualifying round of the Champions League, with the first leg of the tie due on either Aug 16 or 17.
Fabregas is due to play in the club’s final pre-season friendly in Benfica on Saturday night and, if he is fit and Arsenal have not reached a deal with Barcelona, will be expected to begin the season for Arsenal. However, if Fabregas does play any part in the Champions League qualifier, he would then be ineligible to feature for Barcelona in the competition.
The Champions League qualifier is vital to Arsenal from both a financial as well as sporting perspective, with a place in the group stages likely to be worth around £25million.
As one of the seeded clubs, Arsenal will avoid the likes of Bayern Munich, Lyons, Villarreal and Benfica. However, there is the possibility of a difficult trip to Russia to face Rubin Kazan or a match against Udinese from Serie A. The other three teams that Arsenal could draw are FC Twente, the former Dutch champions, Swiss club FC Zurich and Odense from the Danish league.
The draw is due to be made this morning, with Wenger certain to want to avoid an arduous away trip to Russia during what would be the first week of the Premier League season. Arsenal will play the first leg away and the second leg at the Emirates on Aug 23-24.
Although the Arsenal team photograph for the 2011-12 season had to be cancelled due to persistent rain, Fabregas did take a full part in the club members’ day, which included an open training session.
Fabregas met supporters, posed for individual photographs and also took part in a filmed line-up of the squad. The team were introduced collectively rather than individually to the crowd, a change from last year that successfully ensured that there could be no booing of Fabregas or Samir Nasri, who is unwilling to sign a new deal.
As well as Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott, Nasri also missed the training season due to an ankle injury. All three players are unlikely to feature for Arsenal against Benfica tomorrow, but should be fit for the new season.
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke also attended the members’ day and attended a full board meeting, with Wenger. Kroenke will back Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis in their handling of squad issues, with Arsenal unwilling to sell Fabregas unless Barcelona meet their £40million valuation. Barcelona are unwilling to pay more than £35million.
While the stand-off persists, Arsenal expect their captain to continue playing and training with the squad. Fabregas has accepted the situation but is still hoping that a deal can be concluded before the transfer window closes on Aug 31.
Should Fabregas leave, Arsenal are likely to make an offer for Valencia winger Juan Mata.
