Barcelona keep talking the talk as Joan Laporta stands firm in pursuit of Cesc Fabregas

04 June 2010 22:07
Wanted man: Barcelona are keeping up a very public pursuit of Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas [LNB]Barcelona president Joan Laporta is still hopeful of persuading Arsenal to part with Cesc Fabregas despite having a £29million offer for the Spain international rejected earlier this week.[LNB]Fabregas has long been linked with a return to Barca, the club where he was bought through the academy as a youngster before moving to the Gunners seven years ago.[LNB]The 23-year-old is under contract to Arsenal until 2015 but on Tuesday Barca ended weeks of talking with the submission of a formal written offer to Arsenal.[LNB]The offer was robustly rejected by the Londoners and in a statement the club suggested they would not be coaxed back around the negotiation table. That hasn't stopped Laporta.[LNB]He said: 'The price is what we consider to be his market value. Arsenal have rejected it. Now the sporting director (Txiki Begiristain) must decide what should be the next step.[LNB]'We are in negotiations and we'll see how they turn out. At times, these operations are resolved at one speed, and others at another.[LNB]'We have to do everything we can to convince them (Arsenal) that the best thing for all is to reach an agreement,' Laporta was quoted as saying by Spanish daily AS.[LNB]The outgoing Barca president remains optimistic the Primera Division champions will be able to secure the services of the Arsenal skipper, but admits it may not be easy persuading the Gunners to let their prize asset leave.[LNB] Special spaniard: Fabregas (left) this week got his first taste of competitive football since, ironically, Arsenal's Champions League match with Barcelona[LNB]'The club have full confidence that Arsenal will end up understanding the situation,'  Laporta was quoted as saying on his club's website.[LNB]Laporta also feels that the ideal situation for Fabregas would be to 'have the transfer closed as soon as possible, before the start of the World Cup'.[LNB]'But it will be difficult because Arsenal are entitled to stand firm and that must be respected.'[LNB]Laporta also played down suggestions that Fabregas could invoke FIFA's Article 17 rule to force his exit from the Emirates Stadium.[LNB]Article 17 regards compensation for breach of contract. [LNB]'I'm not sure if Cesc will take this course, but we want to find an agreement by talking with Arsenal,' said Laporta. 'We respect Arsenal a lot, we must have in-depth dialogue and follow this path.' [LNB] Arsenal midfielder Fabregas makes his comeback in Spain victoryFabregas battle not finished as Barcelona refuse to back downArsenal reject Barca bid for Fabregas and reiterate plans to shun further bidsDesperate Barca offer Chygrynskiy on loan in bid to lower price of FabregasARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail