Manchester United are believed to have tabled a £25million bid to bring Cesc Fabregas back to England.
It is understand however, that Arsenal have first refusal on the 26-year-old Barcelona midfielder.
The ex Gunner's captain has repeatedly said that he is happy to stay at his home-town club despite struggling to win over some of the Barca faithful and whilst Fabregas is not pushing for a move, it is believed he is open to a move back to England.
The bid is also believed to be below the clubs valuation of the Spanish international midfielder. Fabregas will be informer whether or not the La Liga champions are prepared to accept the offer tabled.
United are currently searching for a new creative midfielder following the retirement of club legend Paul Scholes and recently missing out on Fabregas' former team mate Thiago Alcantara, who joined Europeon and German champions Bayern Munich is a deal worth £21.6m.
It is somewhat of a myth that Fabregas is a bit part player at the Catalan club, playing 96 times in 2 seasons which has included 60 league games. Only goalkeeper Victor Valdes started more games than Fabregas last season, this is not a man who is deemed surplus to requirements.
What can be said about Fabregas' time at Barca is that he has rarely featured in his preferred midfield role, with Xavi, 33 and Iniesta, 29 both ahead of him in the pecking order, as well as both Busquets and Song occupying the defensive midfielder option.
I believe that Arsenal, who are suggesting that they are willing to spend big this season should seriously consider a bid for their former boy wonder turned captain. Reports suggest that Arsenal are looking at Everton's Fellaini as well as the ageing Gareth Barry. Although I do admire what Fellaini has to offer as a player I would have to question some the attributes his possess regarding his temperament. Some would say that the Belgian midfielder has all the assets of a perfect midfielder, a great array of technical abilities along with an exquisite touch, along with tireless energy to get from box-to-box, a fierce tackle and an eye for goal, I wouldn't argue with them. Unfortunately he does have an explosive temperament which can hamper or benefit his team on any day. Do well all remember his one man assault on Stoke City last season? With the Gunners all showing a keen interest in Luis Suarez, they could be fielding 9-men a few times next season.
If Arsenal do want to show they mean business next season, you can forget any one else in the market, snatching Fabregas from under the noses of one of their biggest rivals will be a major coup, one that shows serious intent. Manchester United are a team that last season took away a man that was Arsenal's captain, top goal scorer and best player, whilst they watched on helplessly. Unfortunately for the former Premier League Champions it showed just how far behind Arsenal has slipped from Man Utd. Could you ever imagine seeing Thierry Henry doing the same, back when he was an invincible? No, it was a sad day for everyone involved at Arsenal football club.
If Mr Wenger wants to show Arsenal are back and mean business, this is their man.
If United we're to pull off a deal, Fabregas would become the second former Arsenal captain to move to Old Trafford following the arrival of Robin Van Persie last summer. Maybe we'll see Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira joining the coaching staff too...
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