MADRID: Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola insisted on Saturday that negotiations are still ongoing concerning the signing of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Several British and Spanish newspaper had reported that Arsenal had agreed a transfer deal that would see the Spaniard fulfil his dream of returning to the club he left as a 16-year-old in 2003.
But Guardiola said: “He’s not here yet. According to the information we have from club bosses negotiations are very advanced but there is still a document missing to confirm. “The prospects are good, but he’s still an Arsenal player. Otherwise I would confirm it.”
European champions Barcelona had already failed with an offer of around £30 million (34.4 million euro), and an improved reported bid of 29 million euros plus six million euros in future add-ons also failed to tempt the Gunners.
The British press reported however that Arsenal were finally ready to accept a 36-million-euro offer, with Spanish sports daily Marca putting the deal closer to 40 million euros, of which six million euros would depend on results. (Agencies)
