Arsenal have told Barcelona they can have skipper Cesc Fabregas but only if they get £50million in return. As the Fabregas saga continues, the Gunners have played hardball again, this time telling the Catalan giants to almost double their original offer of just under £30million.

The Gunners have emerged as frontrunners for the services of Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole indicating that they may be preparing for life without Fabregas but they will at least be compensated if the 23-year old Spain international does decide to return home.

Although Barcelona are not prepared to pay that figure, the fact that the Gunners have loosened their tight stance on the sale of Fabregas means that negotiations can now begin as stated by one source close to the Spanish club.

"This is the news the men in charge at Barca wanted," the source told The Sun.

"They now see the possibility of Arsenal cracking and are determined to get their man.

"They hope they can get an agreement at around the £35m mark."