Barcelona are urging Cesc Fábregas to state publicly that his seven-year Arsenal career has run its course and he wants to move to the Camp Nou in the hope of speeding up a deal for the midfielder.
Fábregas has told Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, that the time has come for him to return to his Catalan roots but he has not been as explicit in public. Barcelona feel that comments by the 23-year-old could help to force the issue after being informed that Wenger is ready to dig his heels in.
Whether the tactic would work is unclear because Wenger and his directors are steadfast in their refusal to sell the club's leading player unless Barcelona make an offer to rival the world record £80m with which Real Madrid secured Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United last summer. The struggle over the player could be a protracted one.
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