Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal reject Barcelona bid for Cesc Fabregas and reiterate plans to shun any further offer
Arsenal have rejected a formal offer for Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona and vowed not to begin negotiations with the Spanish champions. [LNB]Barca made a bid of just over £29million on Tuesday night, but their first official approach met with a blunt refusal from Arsenal. [LNB]The Barclays Premier League side went on to issue a strongly-worded statement on Wednesday afternoon, insisting they have 'no intention' of selling the 23-year-old midfielder. [LNB] Ready to move? Cesc Fabregas scores for Arsenal against Barcelona last season[LNB]The statement read: 'Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is under contractwith the club until the summer of 2015. He is a highly valued member ofthe team and part of our future plans. [LNB]'We have followed recent speculation linking Cesc with a move awayfrom the club but as there has never been any official approach forhim, only two informal exchanges, in which we made it abundantly clearthat we have no interest in transferring Cesc, we have refrained frompassing comment. [LNB]'However, on Tuesday evening we received an offer from Barcelona forCesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them onceagain that we have no intention of selling our captain. [LNB]'To be clear, we will not make any kind of counter-proposal or enterinto any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they willrespect our position and we expect that they will keep their word.' [LNB]Deadline: Fabregas wants closure before the World Cup begins on June 11[LNB] [LNB]But in Barcelona, the club's hierarchy remained confident of signingFabregas, who is fit to play for Spain in their final World Cup warm-upmatch against South Korea in Innsbruck this afternoon. [LNB]Talk the talk: Barcelona players, like Carlos Puyol (left), have publicly backed the move for Fabregas, much to Arsenal's displeasure[LNB]The midfielderhas not played since cracking the fibula in his right leg in the firstleg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona onMarch 31. [LNB]Barca vice-president Rafael Yuste told the club's official website: 'I'm hopeful he can sign for the club as soon as possible. [LNB]'I'm optimistic and it is clear that he, his family, the players and the entire environment would give a very warm welcome. [LNB]'So we will not do anything to thwart his signing. We will not be inany kind of hurry, but we will not pause either. The ball is inArsenal's court and, as we have an exceptional relationship with them,I am optimistic.' [LNB]Barcelona director general Joan Oliver added: 'Everyone knows thatCesc wants to play for this club and everyone knows we also want this. [LNB]But there is a third major player, which is Arsenal. Any deal mustgo through them and June 1 was the beginning of the period of officialnegotiations.' [LNB]Another Premier League midfielder was also the centre of attentionin Spain on Wednesday. Steven Gerrard could be seen in the shirt ofReal Madrid just 48 hours after Jose Mourinho claimed the club wouldnot be making the big news in the transfer market this summer.[LNB]Fortunately for Liverpool fans, it was a mock photo of Gerrard inMadrid daily paper Marca who dedicated a full page to how the Englandstar would look wearing Real Madrid's colours as they linked him with amove to the Bernabeu. [LNB]The paper claimed while Real would not be spending the millions theyspent last summer, they was considering testing Liverpool's resolveregarding Gerrard, 30. [LNB] It's official! Barcelona make written bid for Arsenal captain Cesc FabregasDesperate Barca offer Chygrynskiy on loan in bid to lower price of FabregasArsenal star Cesc Fabregas will be joining Barcelona, insists Xavi as Catalan giants prepare to make their moveFabregas alerts Barca as star admits he'll decide future before World CupARSENAL FC
