Messi and Fabregas were team-mates during their days as trainees with the Nou Camp outfit before the midfielder made the switch to north London as a 16-year-old where he has gone on to make his name as one of Europe’s best players.

And Messi insists Fabregas’ return would help Barca in their bitter battle against arch-rivals Real Madrid who have been linked with summer moves for Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole, among others, since Jose Mourinho was installed at the Bernabeu.

Messi told Sport: “I would like to play with Cesc again because I know him like (Gerard) Pique (from the youth team). We shared many things at that moment, when we coincided in Barca’s youth team, and I know what he can give on the pitch.”

Like Fabregas, Pique made the move away from Catalonia, to Manchester United, before returning to play a key role in defence over the last two seasons.

And Messi admits he and Fabregas are still in touch while claiming the Arsenal captain “wants to come to Barcelona”.

Messi added: “We speak and sometimes we send each other messages.

“He wants to come to Barcelona and we’re all waiting to see what will happen. I hope he ends up coming and that we can play together again.

“Nobody imagined that one day we could all be together in Barcelona’s first team, especially when Cesc and Pique left.

“For us to be together again would be special, a lovely situation for those of us that were there back then.”

Whether or not Fabregas is still on board remains to be seen, with Arsenal set to kick off their Premier League title challenge with a trip to Liverpool (Reds 5/4, draw 9/4, Gunners 7/4).

Totesport.com makes Chelsea the 13/8 favourites to retain their Premier League crown with Manchester United available at 2/1.

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