Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal to sell Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona for £35m
Arsenal have rejected Barcelona's latest ?31million bid for Cesc Fabregas - but told the Spanish giants they can have him for ?35m. [LNB]However, the future of team-mate Samir Nasri was thrown into further doubt last night as Sky Italia confirmed Sportsmail's exclusive story that Manchester City are on the verge of signing the midfielder, with the fee reported to be ?23m. [LNB] Gunner leave: Cesc Fabregas (left) and Samir Nasri (right) are set to join Barcelona and Man City respectively[LNB]Manager Arsene Wenger's pre-season preparations have been overshadowed by the ongoing transfer sagas surrounding his talented duo. [LNB]Arsenal had already turned down a ?27m bid from Barcelona for Fabregas before rejecting the Catalan club's latest offer. [LNB]There is a feeling, however, that a deal which will finally see Fabregas return to Spain is close after months of speculation. The Gunners have told Barca that an extra ?4m on top of their latest bid will be enough to land their captain. [LNB] Homecoming: Fabregas is set to rejoin his boyhood club for ?35m[LNB]Barcelona's path to capturing their target was made easier on Friday after Wenger confirmed Fabregas, 24, would not travel on the club's tour, citing a hamstring injury. [LNB]Nevertheless, Wenger said: 'We want to keep Cesc and I will fight to keep him.' He also insisted that Nasri, who has turned down a five-year deal worth ?90,000 per week, will leave for the trip to Malaysia on Sunday. [LNB]But Arsenal sources told Sportsmail that Nasri's inclusion for the week-long tour was far from certain amid fears he could leave.[LNB] D-day: Arsene Wenger expects Nasri to travel to Malaysia on Sunday[LNB]The 24-year-old France midfielder is a target for Manchester United as well as rivals City and there is a growing feeling within the Emirates that he is determined to leave. [LNB]Arsenal are prepared to offer Nasri ?100,000 per week to stay and Wenger said: 'Samir is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him.' [LNB]Nicklas Bendtner, Emmanuel Eboue and Manuel Almunia could miss the tour amid speculation they will also quit the club - as part of a summer clear-out.[LNB]Although not being drawn on specific targets, Wenger confirmed he was looking for some more fresh faces to bolster his squad.[LNB] New arrival: Gervinho is set to join Arsenal but will he be the first of many?[LNB]'I can promise you that we will work very hard and we have had some long nights to achieve what we want to achieve,' he said.[LNB]Wenger certainly has funds available, with the full-back Gael Clichy sold to Manchester City last week in a ?7million deal.[LNB]However, Wenger rejected suggestions he would buy just for the sake of it. 'If there were an obvious choice, people would have already made their decisions,' he said.[LNB]'Everybody needs the same players for the same positions. We are at the top level and therefore need exceptional quality to strengthen our side.[LNB]'I can understand that people say "you have money, just go out and buy", but it's not only that, we want to find the quality we need.' CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEWenger vows to keep hold of Arsenal's want-away pair Fabregas and NasriManchester City 2 Arsenal 0: Vieira snubs former club to take up coaching role at Eastlands All the latest Arsenal news, features and opinionAll the latest Man City news, features and opinion[LNB]
