Barca have made no secret of their desire to return their former youth star to his homeland and club president Sandro Rossell told Catalan station TV3 this week that the Spain international is “doing everything he can to come”.

The north Londoners, priced at 7/1 in the Premier League outright market, are likely to take a dim view of Rossell’s assessment of their star midfielder but may now decide the time is right to cash in on a player who managed only three goals in 25 league appearances in an injury-interrupted 2010/11 season.

Fabregas has a contract at Arsenal which runs until 2015 so the club is under no pressure to sell but manager Arsene Wenger may take the view that a deal in the region of £30m would be difficult to turn down given that the emergence of Jack Wilshere and the return from injury of Aaron Ramsey leaves with him plenty of options.

If the Gunners also manage to keep hold of France international Samir Nasri then this would also represent a major shot in the arm.

For the 8/15 La Liga title favourites the signing of Fabregas is logical given that Camp Nou maestro Xavi is now the wrong side of 30 and his midfield partner in crime, Andres Iniesta, is into his peak years at the age of 27.

Pep Guardiola will be aware that good teams come in cycles and the signing of Fabregas – and coveted 22-year-old Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez – would help reduce the age of his La Liga and Champions League-winning squad.

Arsenal have been here before – think Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira – and the potential loss of Fabregas would surely diminish their hopes of preventing a seventh season without a major piece of silverware.

It is looking increasingly likely that they will have to get over that hurdle without their captain and talisman.

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The pacey forward has less than two years left on his deal having arrived at Villa Park from Watford for big money back in 2007.

Signed by former boss Martin O’Neill, Young has gone on to establish himself as a key first-team player for the Villans while he has also won 10 caps for the Three Lions.

The 25-year-old insists he is happy at Villa but says he is determined to concentrate on matters on the pitch rather than get distracted by contract talks.

Young told The Sun: “I’ve told the people at Villa that I won’t be signing a new contract at the moment.

“I know they want to get it done now but my current deal still has a year to run after this season and I feel there is plenty of time to talk next summer.

“I want to stress that I have no problem with Aston Villa. I love the fans and I’m very much enjoying my football.

“I want to concentrate on what’s happening on the field and don’t want to get distracted.

“It’s a big season for me and I’m hopeful there are good times ahead under the new manager.”

Villa (9/5 – 90 minutes betting) take on Sunderland (11/8) at the Stadium of Light as they look to better their current position of eighth in the Premier League after eight games of the season.

Last weekend the Villans held leaders Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Villa Park but it is away from home where Gerard Houllier’s men have struggled, with three defeats on the road already.

Villa are boosted by the return of striker Emile Heskey (back) and midfielder Marc Albrighton (illness) while centre-half Richard Dunne is also available despite being forced off with a gashed ankle last time out (Heskey 8/1 – Enhanced First Goalscorer).

Houllier is still without forward Gabriel Agbonlahor and full-back Luke Young because of groin and hamstring problems respectively.

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Cesc Fabregas

The Gunners skipper was the subject of several very public offers from Barca over the close-season but Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger resisted all bids for the under-contract star.

It was reported that the La Liga giants were prepared to spend £35million on the player they let leave for England as a youngster but ultimately they failed in their pursuit.

The Spain international has been linked with Barca again in a deal for next summer but the 24-year-old maintains talk of a move back to Catalonia is behind him – for now at least.

He has paid tribute to Wenger and the way he has nurtured him at Arsenal but he admits to pull on the famous Barca shirt remains a “dream” for the midfielder.

He said on radio station Cadena Cope: “I maintain that I was right because (to play for Barcelona) is a dream I have had since childhood.

“The truth is that the coach is like a second father to me. I told him what I thought.”

Fabregas could be back following injury for the Gunners in the Premier League clash at home to Birmingham City on Saturday (Arsenal 12/1 to win 4-0) and he has revealed how he was told in no uncertain terms by Wenger over the summer that the deal would not be happening.

“In the end, when I spoke to Wenger he told me ‘no’ – he was very emphatic, that the transfer was impossible,” he added.

“I am satisfied for all parties. It wasn’t to be and that’s that, though in my head I keep thinking it could have been a good opportunity.

“But here (at Arsenal) I have everything. I am still happy. I am very comfortable here, I like the club, lead the team, play football.”

Fabregas is hoping to lead Arsenal to their first trophy in five years this season but he admits they need to engender a winning mentality at the Emirates if they are to be successful once again.

“We just need to start winning titles because we have a wealth of quality. A winning mentality is missing,” he said.

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Birmingham

Blues supporters woke up on Thursday morning to comments from acting chairman Peter Pannu over McLeish’s demands – described as “a very large amount of money” – and the former Scotland boss’ status in the game when his name was compared with that of Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho.

But fast-forward to early afternoon and Pannu told the Birmingham Mail that fresh terms could be agreed before the Blues’ next game on Sunday September 12 when Liverpool make the trip down the M6 for a St Andrew’s showdown (Birmingham 50/1 – Top Four Finish).

“This is all nonsense,( said Pannu. “We are just perhaps inches away from Alex signing a contract, possibly by next week.

“Our relationship is phenomenal, we are very strong and close, and I want to dispel this notion that there is anything wrong.

“In fact, I spoke to Alex about the Mourinho reference and we laughed about it. In the whole context of the interview I did, it would not have had a sting to it. But to take out the extract like that made it look worse than it was.

“Mourinho came up because I mentioned that the agent who made the initial approach to me about Alex and his contract represents Mourinho.

“Nothing was meant as a slight to Alex in the context of the conversation I had.”

McLeish appears to have been happy to keep a dignified silence over the issue after refusing to be drawn when unveiling latest signings Alexander Hleb, Martin Jiranek and Jean Beausejour.

Birmingham enjoyed a fantastic run under McLeish last season after setting a new club record of 12 games without defeat in the top flight.

The club eventually finished in ninth spot – their best season in some 51 years – to mark their return to the big time in style after a one-year exile in the Championship.

This time around the Blues have started well and are unbeaten in three games, although they let a 2-0 lead slip against 10-man Bolton at the Reebok last weekend (Bolton 13/2 – Relegation).

Such failure to close out a game will not be lost on McLeish who made 77 appearances for Scotland as a central defender between 1980 and 1993.

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Wigan

Boss Roberto Martinez was unable to bring in the 21-year-old Argentinian striker on loan as he already has two loan players from Premier League clubs, which is the maximum allowed.

Martinez has already signed Manchester United?s Tom Cleverley on a temporary basis as well as goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi from Bolton.

Wigan wanted to bring in Al-Habsi on a permanent deal, but their Premier League rivals quoted £3million for him which took him out of the equation for the Latics.

Martinez has also agreed a deal with free agent Mexico World Cup striker Guillermo Franco but he has yet to sort out terms.

The frustrated Wigan boss said: “The restrictions from the Premier League do not help young players in this country.

“You can bring in as many foreign loans as you want but only two from here. It is unfair on the clubs and the talent coming through.”

The Wigan boss took some of the pressure off himself following his side?s dismal start to the season when the Latics won 1-0 at Spurs on Saturday, in one of the shocks of the season so far in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Martinez says the way is still open, but very difficult, for midfielder Charles N’Zogbia to force his way back into the Wigan side.

The 24-year-old looked to be on his way to Birmingham last week, after a deal was agreed between the two clubs. But the move broke down over the Blues? failure to agree personal terms.

“Obviously we agreed a fee with another Premier League club and it seemed that transfer was going to go ahead,” Martinez told Sky Sports News.

“Now, the situation is up in the air. Charles is a Wigan Athletic player and he needs to do a lot on the training ground to persuade this group of players to open up and allow him to come in and fight for a place.”

“It’s difficult to accept that certain players don’t want to be committed and don’t want to be at the football club. It’s very, very difficult to see a way back for Charles,” he added.

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Balotelli has been a summer-long target for the City boss, who worked with the 20-year-old during his time in charge at the San Siro.

The two clubs have finally agreed a fee for the striker, believed to be in the region of £24million, with Balotelli flying to Manchester for a medical on Friday.

The Italian frontman, who has Ghanaian heritage, scored 28 goals in 86 appearances for Inter since his first-team debut in December 2007.

Balotelli could well be joined by England midfielder Milner (33/1 to be 2010-11 PFA Player of the Year) in the next ‘two or three days’, according to the City manager.

Milner’s future has been the long-running transfer saga of the summer and now looks like it could be finally drawing to a close.

The former Leeds and Newcastle man has been named in Aston Villa’s squad to face West Ham in their Premier League opener on Saturday, but could be wearing a City shirt next weekend.

The Eastlands outfit (1/2 to claim a top-four finish) have offered Villa £18million for the 24-year-old, with Stephen Ireland moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

The deal has been reportedly delayed to Ireland seeking a payment to leave City, but it looks like the issues have been ironed out.

Mancini insisted: “We need another two or three days for this situation. We need everyone to be happy.”

As two players head into Eastlands, another could be leaving as Craig Bellamy has been left out of the 25-man squad Mancini has named for the Premier League campaign.

The Wales international admitted last week that he was unsure over his future with the Blues and he now seems certain to leave before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Former City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed that Fulham (18/1 in Premiership Without Top 6 market) are keen to sign Bellamy, whilst Celtic have begun negotiations with the striker’s representatives over a potential switch.

When asked about Bellamy, Hughes admitted: “Yes, I’d be interested in signing Craig. He’s one of the top players in the Premier League.”

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Javier Mascherano

Danish star Poulsen was widely expected to join the Reds this week and, after completing a medical and the formalities of the transfer, has joined Hodgson’s new-look side and penned a three-year deal at Anfield.

The 30-year-old, who knows Hodgson from when he was manager at FC Copenhagen between 2000 and 2002, is seen as a direct replacement for Mascherano, with his defensive midfield and tough-tackling qualities earning him a decent reputation in Serie A in the past few years.

The experienced midfielder could even be in contention to make his Reds bow in the season-opener at home to Arsenal on Sunday as his capture clears the way for Mascherano to leave (Liverpool 11/8 to win, Arsenal 9/5).

The Argentinian, speaking after their 1-0 friendly win over Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday, admitted he wanted to leave the club and is seeking a move out of England amid reports his family have failed to settle on Merseyside.

Mascherano almost joined Barcelona last summer and has expressed a desire to join the Catalan giants again this year while Inter Milan, with former Reds boss Rafa Benitez now in charge at the San Siro, are also courting the 26-year-old.

“The only thing I want to say is I don’t have nothing against the Liverpool supporters, the Liverpool people,” he said.

“My problem is not to play for Liverpool. I’m very proud to play for Liverpool. It’s another thing.

“I said to him (new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson) that maybe for my life I prefer to change the country, not to change the club – that is the fact.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also closing in on the capture of Middlesbrough keeper Brad Jones as Hodgson eyes experienced cover for number one Pepe Reina.

Jones is set to join the Reds for just over £2million and will cast doubt on the future of current reserve stopper Diego Cavalieri, who is attracting interest from Benfica.

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There were fears that Inter’s treble winning team may be broken up following Jose Mourinho’s decision to move on and become Real Madrid manager, but so far this has proved not to be the case.

Veteran defender Zanetti has now agreed a two year extension, keeping him at the club until June 2013, while Milito has agreed a 12 month extension and will stick with the Nerazzurri until June 2014.

Zanetti has been with Inter since 1995 and the 36-year-old could end his career with the Serie A giants after agreeing new terms.

Milito joined Inter last summer from Genoa and scored 30 goals in his first season.  The Argentina international had been linked with a move to Real Madrid but has ended speculation surrounding his future by agreeing new terms with the Milan side.

He said: “I will always be grateful to a great club like Inter for choosing me, and to president (Massimo) Moratti for his faith in me.”

However, former Liverpool boss Benitez has largely struggled to secure his top targets this summer.  The Spaniard is eager to be reunited with Liverpool star Javier Mascherano but the Anfield side have refused to budge on their asking price for the tough tackling midfielder and the two parties seem to have reached a stalemate as far as the deal is concerned.

Inter secured the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last season under the guidance of the Portuguese special one and there are high expectations ahead of the new season despite a change in manager.

Inter are the favourites to secure the Serie A title for a sixth successive time, although their 2005/06 title was awarded in the wake of the 2006 Calciopoli Scandal. Meanwhile, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma are all priced at 4/1 with totesport. The Italian league could be a four-horse race this season with the likes of Fiorentina (33/1), Napoli and Sampdoria (both 66/1) given little chance by pundits ahead of the start of the season.

Benitez could be on course for success in the Serie A but the Champions League will be a difficult title to defend.  Spanish giants Barcelona (10/3f) and Real Madrid (4/1) are expected to dominate Europe’s top tournament this season, while Manchester United (15/2) and Chelsea (6/1) could also be in contention to take the top prize (Inter 12/1 to win the Champions League).

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The Welshman was unveiled as the new Fulham boss last week and watched from the stands as his side went down 1-0 in a friendly fixture against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.  Hughes will take charge of his first fixture in the Cottagers friendly tie against German outfit Werder Bremen on August 7, a week before they begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to Bolton’s Reebok Stadium (Bolton 6/5, draw 11/5, Fulham 15/8).

With just two weeks until the start of the season the former Blackburn and Manchester City boss will have to move quickly to secure new additions but Hughes insists he is relaxed over transfer dealings.

“Ideally, we would’ve liked to have been in place before the pre-season schedule was undertaken, but that wasn’t possible” conceded Hughes.

“We’ve got two weeks before the start of the season and we’ve still got another two weeks after that of the window to negotiate as well, so there’s still plenty of time.”

Hughes has been in the Fulham hot-seat for less than a week but the Cottagers boss has already been linked with a number of players, including Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland.  All three played under Hughes at City, while both Santa Cruz and Bellamy have been signed twice by Hughes (for Blackburn and City) and Bellamy was also a part of Hughes’ Wales squad when he managed the Welsh team.

It is unclear whether or not there is any substance to the reports that Hughes is chasing the City trio, many managers are linked to players they have worked with in the past and often these stories amount to nothing but the Fulham boss has revealed he will be backed in the transfer market.

He added: “The Premier League is a very expensive league and you do need resources; you need funds to keep energising the team to enable it to continue.

“If you don’t add quality to a club and a group of players then you will stand still and people will overtake you.

“Maybe that was the reassurance that I needed when I had the discussions with Alistair (Mackintosh, chief executive).”

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Bristol City

The deal will keep the former Portsmouth captain at Ashton Gate for a year with an option for an additional 12 months.

Earlier in the week it looked as though the 39-year-old would be moving to Scottish giants Celtic when he was set to go up to Glasgow to discuss terms.

However he failed to agree terms with the club, who then decided to state that they were no longer interested in the keeper just hours before he was confirmed as signing for City (11/2 to win promotion from the Championship) on Friday.

James was also linked with Premier League side Sunderland but the type of deal the Robins offered and the proximity to where the former Liverpool player lives seems to have been the deciding factors for the move.

The veteran keeper revealed that he had offers from clubs in the top flight but decided to take up the challenge at Ashton Gate.

He said: “I’ve had offers to stay in the Premier League but it is more important that I play football – which I love – for the right club and be a family man.

“I had a long conversation with the chairman Steve Lansdown yesterday and I liked what he said about the club and his ambition. I know all about the plans for a new stadium and desire to win promotion to the Premier League.

“The club is ambitious and that’s what I am. The South West has not had a club in the Premier League and that needs to change,” he added.

James played in three of England’s four World Cup games in South Africa this summer as he battled for a starting place with Robert Green and Joe Hart.

After Green’s mistake in the opening game against the USA, which ultimately cost the Three Lions the win, James was brought in and performed well in the remaining group fixtures.

The player’s contract will begin on August 1 after he completed a medical at the club on Friday.

Bristol City begin there campaign to try and reach the top flight against newly promoted Millwall at Ashton Gate on August 7.

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