Spain midfielder dismisses possibility of move away from Barcelona.
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dismissed speculation he could leave the Nou Camp this summer.
The Spain international has been linked with a shock move to Manchester United, while former club Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old.
Fabregas made 40 appearances in all competitions for Tito Vilanova’s side last season, scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists.
But the pass-master has struggled to impose himself on games in the same way he did in north London and has often played as a ‘false nine’, rather than in his favoured midfield playmaker role.
Following the arrival of Neymar at Barca, speculation is rife that Fabregas may be allowed to make a dramatic return to the Premier League, with Arsenal said to have first refusal on their former captain.
But Fabregas has dismissed the gossip and says he will remain in Catalonia for many years.
“Exit rumours in the press? There’s nothing to say. I’m very happy at Barca, I want to stay here for many, many more years,” Fabregas told Catlonian radio station RAC1, as quoted by the Metro.
Respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has also insisted that Barcelona have no interest in selling the player signed from the Gunners for around £30m in 2011.
“The arrival of Neymar has had the first consequence. Cesc Fabregas rumours started strongly, suggesting that he wants to leave Barcelona and that Barcelona would consider selling him. Well, despite the interest from Chelsea, City, United and Arsenal, Barcelona have got no intention whatsoever to let him go,” Sky Sports’ Balague told his followers on twitter.
Balague did admit that the speculation was likely to continue until Barcelona make a statement on Fabregas’ future, and says that Arsenal’s buy-back clause is some 160m euros lower than Fabregas’ release-clause.
“But they will have to say so publicly to calm everybody down, not least the player that would want some reassurances that the arrival of Neymar will not affect him. One deterrent: his buy out clause is 200 million euros for everybody, apart from Arsenal (40 million for them). Everything will be sorted and he will wear the Barcelona shirt next season.”
COMMENTS