Cesc Fabregas signs for Barcelona

12 August 2011 16:18
Arsenal have finally cut their ties with Cesc Fabregas after agreeing a ?31million deal with Barcelona.[LNB]Fabregas is expected to sign a five-year contract with the European champions and could be unveiled over the weekend. [LNB] Barca boss Pep Guardiola is keen to focus all his energies on Sunday night's Spanish Super Cup clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, but his players were happy to welcome the Arsenal captain to the Nou Camp.[LNB] Final farewell? Cesc Fabregas with Robin van Persie[LNB] Au revoir: Nasri is set to leave the north London club in the next 48 hours [LNB] [LNB]   Gerard Pique tweeted: 'He's finally here!', while captain Carles Puyol wrote: 'Welcome home! Happy to have you here.'[LNB]Earlier, Arsene Wenger invited ridicule after claiming he expects 'nobody to leave' Arsenal during the transfer window. [LNB]Samir Nasri is also on the brink of quitting the Emirates and is tipped to join Manchester City in the next 48 hours.[LNB]Both players attended what is likely to be their final training session together on Friday morning.[LNB]Fabregas has finally settled his long-running saga, with the club's goalkeeper Victor Valdes earlier claiming his Spain team-mate is set to join him at the Nou Camp. [LNB] 'I cannot see Barcelona without Cesc,' Valdes said. The deal is nearly done - it will be made official in the next few hours.'[LNB]Neither Fabregas or Nasri were included in the Arsenal squad to face Newcastle on Saturday.[LNB] Waving goodbye? But Wenger insists Nasri (left) and Fabregas will stay [LNB]But speaking ahead of his side's Premier League opener, Wenger remained adamant the wantaway duo would not be leaving. [LNB]'I expect nobody to leave the club,' said Wenger. 'The best thing for us one day before the championship starts is to focus on possible transfers. [LNB]'At the moment there is no news. If there is news I promise I will give it. I will decide what's best for the club. [LNB]'My personal feelings are not important. What is important is the club and how well we do. [LNB] Wantaway duo: But Wenger insists the pair will stay at Arsenal [LNB]'I have not been disappointed with their attitudes. They are professionals. I take nothing personally. [LNB]'The transfer speculation is disruptive but that is not an excuse.'[LNB] Man City boss Roberto Mancini was giving little away over his pursuit of Nasri.[LNB]'I don't know what the situation is,' he said. 'We start in the Premier League on Monday and we need to complete our team. [LNB]'We hope we can do that very quickly because we need more players.' [LNB]  Really, Arsene? Wenger insists 'nobody will leave' as Cesc and Nasri edge towards Arsenal exit Club-by-club guide to all the Barclays Premier League summer transfersSign up for our FREE Fantasy Football game and your chance to win a share of ?40,000All the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion [LNB] [LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail