'Focused' Cesc sorry for Barca circus

06 August 2010 14:07
Cesc Fabregas insists he is "100 per cent focused" on playing for Arsenal after the London club rejected two offers from Barcelona this summer.[LNB] The Gunners captain, 23, committed himself to the London club for the 2010-11 season after saying that he respected their decision to reject two offers from Barca, who were keen to re-sign a player who had come through their academy system.[LNB]It is a great piece of news for the Gunners, who steadfastly refused to negotiate with Barcelona over a player whose contract runs until 2014, with manager Arsene Wenger describing it as a "huge lift."[LNB]However, it may be that speculation resurfaces next summer after the player admitted a return to his native Catalonia was an "attractive" proposition.[LNB]Fabregas said: "I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me.[LNB]"I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.[LNB]"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100% focused on playing for Arsenal.[LNB]"I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to 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]He added: "I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment.[LNB]"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me. This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing.[LNB]"There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona. I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal."[LNB]The possibility of a move appeared to fade after the Gunners rejected an offer from Barcelona in early June, however that did not stop the Barcelona hierarchy and star names expressing their desire to see Fabregas back in Spain for the new season.[LNB]Wenger will now be able to prepare for the start of the Premier League season next weekend knowing he has his star player in tow.[LNB]"He is our captain, he is our leader," Wenger told the club's website. "You could see yesterday in the training session how much a lift it is for everybody who loves Arsenal.[LNB]"When I was at the World Cup I met so many people in South Africa and the first thing I heard was 'Don't let Fabregas go'.[LNB]"That means it is a huge lift for everybody who loves the club."[LNB]Wenger declined to reveal any discussions he had with Fabregas, adding: "The situation is as it is.[LNB]"I believe it is important in my job that I do not come out with private conversations I have with the players. That would be unfair.[LNB]"But Cesc has come out today to clear the air. It was very important for us that Cesc did that clearly and that we can move on from now.[LNB]"We are one week away from the start of the season so just we want to be focused and settled now."[LNB]Barca also tonight released a statement lamenting their failure to sign Fabregas while emphasising they never bid more than 40 million euros for a player they lost for nothing.[LNB]The statement read: "In the light of the statement released today regarding the contractual future of Cesc Fabregas, FC Barcelona regrets the decision of Arsenal FC to declare the player not for sale and their decision not to take into consideration the offers proposed.[LNB]"None of those offers, in any way, exceeded 40 million euros."

Source: Team_Talk