Barcelona general manager Joan Oliver concedes Arsenal will have final say on the future of Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas informed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger earlier this month of his desire to leave the Emirates Stadium, and the Spanish champions are hopeful of tying up a deal despite admitting they face difficult negotiations with Arsenal.

Oliver, Barca's general manager, said: "This'll be a long process.

"The player is under contract with another club.

"What he wants and what we want isn't enough - there's Arsenal.

"We understand that he is a very important player for them."