Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly made a last-ditch phone call to skipper Cesc Fabregas in the hope of retaining his services for at least next season.

The Spaniard, who is preparing for next month's World Cup, is being heavily linked with a return to Barcelona but Wenger has made it clear he wants to keep the midfielder at the Emirates.

It is believed that Fabregas has told close friends he is certain he will be a Barcelona player next season but the Gunners will refuse to give up the fight and have no intentions of selling their star.

It seems as though there will be a stand-off throughout the World Cup as Arsenal don't want anything less than £40million of they are forced to sell whilst the Catalan club are not willing to pay over £30million.