Cesc Fabregas says he wants his future sorting before the World Cup (Spain 4/1 favourites to win) with Barcelona keen to take him back to Spain.
Speculation linking Fabregas with a return to Spain has refused to go away but now it seems as though the midfielder is pushing for a move, and who could blame him.
Arsenal again finished the season without any silverware to show for their efforts and with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham emerging as major forces in the Premier League, he could now be running out of patience.
The Gunners are 6/1 to win the Premier League next season with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City ahead of them in the betting and Fabregas will no doubt feel another trophy free season could be on the cards.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been promised transfer funds this summer but chances are it will not be enough to compete with their Premier League rivals, and the imminent arrival of Marouane Chamakh will not scare anyone.
Not many players in world football could improve Barcelona but Fabregas is certainly one of them and he would no doubt be a regular in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven
Fabregas has insisted he is in no rush to leave the Gunners but reading between the lines it seems as though the midfielder is keen to return to the Nou Camp sooner rather than later.
The fact he wants a decision making over his future suggests he wants to leave. The player is tied down to a long-term lucrative deal at the Emirates Stadium so the only decision that Arsenal have to make is whether to sell him or not.
If he was happy to stay then why bring up the subject of a possible move to Barcelona? He would just concentrate on getting fit for the World Cup and say nothing about his club football.
“I want to make a decision about my future before the World Cup,” Fabregas revealed.
“It’s impossible to perform at a tournament such as the World Cup if you’re not fully focused on the sporting aspects of the game. It does not benefit anyone.
“If I ever leave Arsenal it will be to play for Barcelona. I would like to go, whether they want me or not is another matter.
“I am 23 years old and I have a long career in front of me. I’ve never hidden the fact that playing for Barcelona is a dream that I would like to fulfil.
“I’m very happy at Arsenal. I’m in no hurry to leave the club.
“Barcelona are still playing for the Liga title and I’m still an Arsenal player. It would be a lack of respect to discuss a transfer now.”
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