In the Barca press it is being said for a while now that there will be some changes in the squad and Fabregas isn't deemed untouchable at all. For example Luis Enrique today:

About Nerman:

Luis Enrique: "Neymar? He's one of the most important players in the team. I'm delighted to have him here."

But about Cesc:

Luis Enrique: "Cesc? No need to ask for individual names. We won't talk now. Decisions will be made later."

Make of that what you will.



We all know he won't go to Mehdrid. He will also not go to some obscure league like Bundesfodder, Serie zZzzZZZ or Zlatan's playground. This means back to the Mule League. The strongest rumours since last season link him with Manchester United.

Here is my question: If I'm not mistaken Arsenal have a first option on him. Would they make use of it or would they risk letting him go to a direct rival in the EPL who will undoubtly strenghten under van Gaal? On the other hand Arsenal don't actually need him anymore. Özil has the #10 spot locked up, Ramsey is your MVP in central midfield and you also have Wilshere. You need to invest in fullbacks and strikers rather than another midfielder. So what do you do?

Apparently Fabregas wants to go to England if he leaves and if Barca get an offer of €40m, they are open to selling him.

In terms of Arsenal, they don't need him with Ozil at CAM. Plus they already have Ramsey/Wilshere for CM.

I can see Man Utd trying to sign him again.

Cesc come here you

going to be like 2013 summer all over again

RG where are you

Cesc

Thiago

Herrera

Kroos

Fellaini

if cesc, vela and benzema join Arsenal that would be a fun fifa team to play
hope arsenal do go for him though, they could use their old captain back in terms of leadership plus moral boost.

Isn't there a clause were Arsenal get him for 20M? I'm pretty sure Wenger would still take him back regardless, but their midfield is jammed and if anything it wouldn't be a bad purchases considering their injury list in that department this season. Cesc can also play false 9.

It's a tricky scenario. Obviously Arsenal don't want him to go to an English rival. As for Arsenal fans, we have all kinds of opinions both about Cesc as a player, as well as the viability & prudence of this as a hypothetical transfer.

Arsenal have clauses to ensure that if they want him, they'll get him - and for relatively cheap. I think Wenger envisioned this possibility and did all he could to put his club in a good position should it come around. But Özil coming in has kind of foreclosed a triumphant return of the prodigal son. Now the midfield is so packed, and Cesc hasn't necessarily developed a great deal at Barca since leaving, so it'd still be a huge chunk of money that would be better spent on other positions.

At this stage my armchair bet is that he stays at Barca at least one more year.

From a squad strength and depth point of view, I'd have him back in a heartbeat

From a personal point of view, hell to the no.

Get in there Rodgers ffs

Winter is Coming wrote:Isn't there a clause were Arsenal get him for 20M? I'm pretty sure Wenger would still take him back regardless, but their midfield is jammed and if anything it wouldn't be a bad purchases considering their injury list in that department this season. Cesc can also play false 9.

I think they have first refusal and can match the bid or something like that. Not a fixed fee. But defo not € 20M fixed fee. Never heard about such a low number before in respect to Fabregas.

From what i've heard
40m clause, and if another team offers more then 40m (assuming his release clause is increased) then Arsenal get a % of the fee
they also get first pick to him.

Ha, Lex, I'm probably the inverse! I think it'd be too much money on a high-profile player in an area of the pitch we don't need any major strengthening in ... but I'll always love Cesc even if I don't think he should return. (Yet.)

BTW I thought the fixed fee was somewhere closer to 30m euros? Hard to say, because usually things I've read indicate that Barca still owe Arsenal money anyway ...

I'm almost certain it is that they have an opportunity to match a bid if one is submitted.

Considering we were linked with him all last summer

Fußball wrote:

Winter is Coming wrote:Isn't there a clause were Arsenal get him for 20M? I'm pretty sure Wenger would still take him back regardless, but their midfield is jammed and if anything it wouldn't be a bad purchases considering their injury list in that department this season. Cesc can also play false 9.

I think they have first refusal and can match the bid or something like that. Not a fixed fee. But defo not € 20M fixed fee. Never heard about such a low number before in respect to Fabregas.

I just read at an Arsenal website they get first refusal and a cheaper price.

imo Arsenal wouldn't just luxury buy Cesc back just because they can...they are not Madrid especially when they have other needs for the squad

Arsenal are also not poor.. they just choose to be more conservative with their money.
but as said before if another english club wants him it would be in Arsenal's interest not to improve another club, especially a rival.

and who knows maybe wenger has a soft spot for cesc

Donuts wrote:

and who knows maybe wenger has a soft spot for cesc

Obviously he does. He isn't called "specialist in failure" for nothing. He knows one when he sees it.  

If Arsenal have clauses in place that enable them to get Fabregas for a sensible price, I think it would be hard to turn the opportunity down, especially if the other option is that he goes to United (or why not other top club in the Prem). If they need to make room for him, I don't think it would be out of the question to try and sell Cazorla or Podolski.

Arsenal have a €29m buy back clause (same fee which Barcelona paid to Arsenal) should Barcelona accept a bid from some other club, first refusal and a 50% sell-on clause should we not take our option to buy him.

Let's hope someone pays £40m for him, we get £20m, pay whatever it takes to keep Sagna and add the rest to our transfer budget to sign players we actually need. C'mon United do it!!!

Just highlights the stupidity of the Barca hierarchy that they will allow one of their better players to leave.

If we could get back what we paid, that would be great. You could argue he is worth more based on what others have paid for similar level players but at this point, Ill take a simple refund.

They would take him back because they love him.

They shouldn't do though, ignore all nostalgia and they don't really need him.

Especially when you consider there's multiple positions that need to be filled such as RB, DM, CF and Winger among some depth moves before you can contemplate even thinking about Fabregas who you have real no need for.

Fabregas > Cazorla

So if they can move Santi on...

Fabregas on the wing is about as pointless as a house with no toilet.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They would take him back because they love him.

They shouldn't do though, ignore all nostalgia and they don't really need him.

Especially when you consider there's multiple positions that need to be filled such as RB, DM, CF and Winger among some depth moves before you can contemplate even thinking about Fabregas who you have real no need for.

This.