Javier Mascherano believes his Barcelona team-mate Cesc Fabregas is happy in the Catalan city and would find it difficult to return to England.
Former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas has been the subject of two failed bids from Manchester United this summer and while the 26-year-old is yet to publicly reiterate his commitment to the Primera Division champions, the message from the Nou Camp management is clear with new coach Gerardo Martino insisting the player will not be sold.
Mascherano was reluctant to speak on behalf his colleague but remains convinced Fabregas is still settled in Barcelona, two years after he quit London to return to Catalonia.
He told Fox Sports Asia: "I didn't talk to him, but he's happy.
"It's difficult when you have to talk about the personal situation of other players because sometimes you don't know what they really think. But I could see him here training and he's happy. He grew up in Barcelona and he feels the colours of the shirt.
"It's difficult when you grew up here to leave because Barcelona is a big team and a big city, where it's really nice to live and his family is here."
Defensive midfielder Mascherano, who usually plays at centre-back for Barca, could not completely rule out Fabregas making a switch to Old Trafford before the transfer window closes on September 2.
"I don't know," the Argentinian added. "You can never say no but at the moment I think he is a really good player for us and the coach and the people that work here want to keep him."
Fabregas' former Arsenal team-mate Alex Song, however, was more certain in his belief that the Spaniard would stay at the Nou Camp for the foreseeable future.
The Cameroonian told sport.es before a friendly game against Legia Gdansk: "I know him well and everything that's been talked about is just speculation. He loves the club and the city and I think he wants to continue with Barca."
Source: PA
