Cesc Fabregas transfer battle: Arsenal braced for £42m final Barcelona bid

06 August 2010 09:49
Barcelona are refusing to give up on Cesc Fabregas - despite Arsene Wenger telling his captain that there was no chance of Arsenal sanctioning a sale this summer.[LNB]Wenger had talks with the 23-year-old on Thursday and made it clear that the transfer saga must be put aside for at least another year.[LNB]The Gunners have been steadfast in their resistance to a deal since rejecting a £29million bid from Barca at the start of June.[LNB] On the ball: Fabregas trains with his team-mates at the Emirates[LNB]However, reports in Catalonia insist that the champions of Spain are not prepared to walk away from a pursuit that has obsessed them all summer.[LNB]Defiant: Arsenal manager Wenger[LNB]They are prepared to stretch their summer budget by sanctioning a £42m bid - but financial limitations mean it must be structured over several installments and with at least £4m being linked to successes on the pitch.[LNB]Despite this representing an £8m improvement on the figure they had previously mulled as a 'final offer', it will still not be enough to change Wenger's mind.[LNB]There is no doubt that Fabregas wants to move home, but he understands Arsenal's stance and feels let down that Barca have not made a stronger move to make the deal happen.[LNB]He would be hugely reluctant to try and force Arsenal's hand by insisting on move or handing in a transfer request, while there is pressure to do the opposite and publicly declare his future lies at the Emirates Stadium.[LNB]Fabregas has five years left on his current contract and will be expected to be fully focused on playing his part in ending the club's run of five seasons without winning a trophy.[LNB]The news will delight Arsenal fans, 10,000 of whom descended on the Emirates on Thursday to welcome back their star man and watch as the midfielder was put through his paces by Wenger at an open training session.[LNB]No question: The fans let their feelings known to Fabregas (left) as he trained[LNB]Their chants of 'We Love Cesc Fabregas' and banners pleading with him tostay have had the desired effect and, after receiving a rapturous welcome, Fabregas responded with warm applause and a beaming smile.[LNB]After the session, Wenger addressed the crowd, saying: 'Thank you for the support I am sure you will give us in the coming season. We will give our best and try to finish at the top.'[LNB]Arsenal's chances of doing that have been significantly boosted now that they have retained the services of a player of Fabregas's undeniable talent.[LNB]Whether he is prepared to remain at Arsenal beyond the coming campaign remains to be seen, however. Wenger has a track record of holding off the advances of Barcelona and Real Madrid for his star players as the cases of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira demonstrate.[LNB] The enemy: Barca coach Pep Guardiola (left) takes training in Beijing, where he would like to have Fabregas alongside Lionel Messi (centre)[LNB]Former goalkeeper Bob Wilson was at the Emirates on Thursday and proceeded to blast Barcelona for their tactics of very publicly going after Fabregas.[LNB]'I think they have shown complete disrespect throughout the whole episode,' said Wilson. 'They know as well as anyone else that if you are going for the best players in the world then you have to have respect and the bottom line of Barcelona's situation is that they can't afford to buy him for what he is worth.[LNB]'He is worth a minimum of £50m and Barcelona are struggling financially.'[LNB]'I don't think we need to tell him that everyone at the club loves him. He has a second father at the club in Arsene Wenger and I think Arsene will be able to get his head around the fact that he is an Arsenal player and not a Barcelona player.[LNB]'This season, he is going to lead us to something big.'[LNB] Cesc Fabregas: I'm staying! Arsenal win battle to keep captain from Barcelona's clutchesSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsCesc is Gunner stay! Walcott convinced Fabregas will snub Barcelona Spurs will be top Guns in Europe, says Defoe as striker vows to eclipse ArsenalARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail