Joan Oliver, Barca’s CEO says that they have tabled a firm and serious offer in writing to Arsenal for the transfer of Cesc Fabregas.
Oliver admits that the next move belongs to Arsenal.
“You know that the player has expressed his desire to play for the club and the club wants him to come too. But there is the third party which is Arsenal. They have to be volunteers to this agreement.”
Barca is prepared to pay £30m but Arsenal have indicated that he is not up for sale. It will be up to the Catalans to see how much more they are willing to pay. Frankly, a high price could become an election issue. This has been mentioned before but Arsenal are in no financial difficulties so they are not in any hurry to sell.
What really needs to be done while all this wheeling and dealing is going on is to go out into the market and put out some good cash for a top central defender and a goalie. And contrary to what Wenger says, the World Cup will be a good place to start. After all the 2008 Euro uncovered Arshavin and that is when we made a move for the Zenit winger.
Meanwhile, Xavi has been in the news for saying that he expects Cesc to be at Barca next season. He however did not say that he intends to retire or go into coaching the Barca B team. Which means that Cesc will have to bench warm and hope that Xavi feels a calf twinge or two to get some playing time. We will get a clearer picture come the World Cup.