Cesc Fabregas and Javier Mascherano back on Barcelona radar - Arsenal and Liverpool transfer news

22 August 2010 11:05
AC Milan have confirmed their interest in Barcelona misfit Zlatan Ibrahimovic - who was snubbed by coach Pep Guardiola for the Spanish champions Super Cup win against Sevilla on Saturday night.[LNB]Off-loading the Sweden striker to Italy could take £8million off the wage bill and give Nou Camp president Sandro Rosell more room to manoeuvre in a last-ditch bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.[LNB] Back in action: Fabregas comes on for Abou Diaby (left) during Arsenal's 6-0 rout of Blackpool on Saturday[LNB] [LNB]However, any approach would surely be met with a flat refusal at the Emirates Stadium - especially given Fabregas's public if grudging commitment to the Gunners - leaving Barca to turn attention to Liverpoolmidfielder Mascherano.[LNB]Ibrahimovic's agent has repeatedly insisted that the 28-year-old will stay out this summer and there have been supportive words from his current employers.[LNB]However, reportslinking him with a move away have not stopped since David Villa arrivedat the club from Valencia.[LNB]Ibrahimovic received the clearest indication of his diminishing status during the two-leg Super Cup victory over Sevilla.[LNB] On the move: Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be on his way back to the city of Milan[LNB]He scored as Barca crashed to 3-1 defeat in Sevilla a week ago, but was still substituted after 53 minutes. And in Saturday night's 4-0 turnaround at the Nou Camp, he watched the whole fiesta from the bench.[LNB]Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and was flanked up front by Pedro and Bojan, who was replaced by Villa rather than the former Inter Milan hot shot in the second half.[LNB]On the move? Mascherano[LNB]AC Milan would prefer a loan rather than permanent move for a player whocost Barca £45m last summer and new San Siro coach Massimiliano Allegristruggled to disguise his admiration for a player who had his best years in Serie A.[LNB]'Ibrahimovic has always been a winner, he's shown that and he's still showing that,' said Allegri. 'It would be important to have him in our squad, but I only talk about Milan players.[LNB]'Right now there's no sense in talking about Ibrahimovic's arrival, Iprefer sure things, we'll talk about him if and when he arrives.'[LNB]Milansporting director Ariedo Braida added: 'If he's given to us as a present we'll take him, I like great players.'[LNB]Manchester City have been linked with Ibrahimovic, but are highly unlikely to make a move for him this summer, despite Roberto Mancini's admiration for a player he worked with at Inter. Chelsea are also understood to have been offered him, but the Barclays Premier League champions did not make a bid.[LNB]Barca are confidentthey will one day sign Fabregas, but the more pressing need for this summer is player who can compete with Sergio Busquets in the holding midfield role. [LNB] But Fabregas has said: 'I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I stepout on the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about. I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me.' [LNB]Sources at the Emirates Stadium have dismissed suggestions their current refusal to do business over the midfielder hides a promise they could take a different view next season.[LNB]Guardiola is light on defensive-minded midfield players following thesale of Yaya Toure to Manchester City and he is understood to have called for a new bid for Mascherano, who Barca tried to sign last summer.[LNB]The Argentina captain wants to leave Liverpool, though Inter Milan were thought to be favourites to sign him. However, Anfield boss Roy Hodgson insists that Inter president Massimo Moratti has assured him there will be no bid for his players this summer.[LNB]Thathas not stopped claims that Inter are still interested and have also made a bid for Liverpool's tireless forward Dirk Kuyt.[LNB] Barca could enter the Mascherano race by offering former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb in part-exchange.[LNB]  Arsenal 6 Blackpool 0: Walcott hands out a reality check to the Tangerines Liverpool versus Manchester City? 'It's King Kong versus Mickey Mouse' ARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail