Barcelona have first refusal on two of the world's hottest transfer properties, it has been revealed. Sandro Rosell, who has declared he will stand for the Barca presidency in June, secured first option on Cesc Fabregas in 2003 as part of the midfielder's original move to Arsenal.

And despite all the speculation linking Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery to Real Madrid, El Mundo Deportivo says Barca president Joan Laporta was assured by Franz Beckenbauer last summer they would be informed of all developments regarding the Frenchman's future.