BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Cesc Fabregas is “suffering” from the drawn-out transfer saga that has kept the Arsenal playmaker from joining Barcelona, according to Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi left little doubt over his Spain teammate’s desire to move to the Catalan capital following a recent conversation.

“I spoke with Cesc in Ibiza and he told me that he was suffering because he wants to come here,” Xavi was quoted as saying on Barcelona’s website on Wednesday. “It’s what he wants most and he’s done all he can to come, he wants Arsenal to let him leave.”

Arsenal has already rejected several bids from the European champions for Fabregas. Barcelona had a bid of ?40 million ($56 million) rejected last year and a lesser offer earlier this year. Spanish media reported Wednesday that Barcelona was preparing to offer another bid of ?40 million.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Monday that the Gunners would “fight hard” to keep the 24-year-old Fabregas, who reportedly has been pressuring the north London team to let him return to the club he left as a teenager.

Fabregas remained in London when Arsenal set out on a preseason tour of Asia.

Several Barcelona players have said Fabregas wants to rejoin the three-time defending Spanish champions, including goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

“I think he has a desire to return. He wouldn’t have problems adapting to the team,” Valdes said Tuesday.

Freeza wrote:What a great friend to tell something which was probably told in confidentiality

Adit wrote:once a village club always a village club...farca

kiranr wrote:
Or could it be that Fabregas wants Xavi to say this to the media?

Raptorgunner wrote:Even though the press tends to change what the players says, till this day I have not heard a Barcelona player coming out and saying they did not say that. I am sure this is front page news so the players will see it and read it.

Doc wrote:

kiranr wrote:
Or could it be that Fabregas wants Xavi to say this to the media?

Convincing Arsenal fans you're staying while using your friends to say otherwise. Bit underhanded don't you think and I'm not sure Fabregas is that sort of individual.

Doc wrote:

kiranr wrote:
Or could it be that Fabregas wants Xavi to say this to the media?

Convincing Arsenal fans you're staying while using your friends to say otherwise. Bit underhanded don't you think and I'm not sure Fabregas is that sort of individual.