Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hinted he sees Arsenal's delaying tactics over transfer talks for Cesc Fabregas as their way of hiking up the player's price.

The Daily Mail says one theory in Spain is that Arsenal are unwilling to do business while Barca president Joan Laporta remains in charge due to a perceived behind-the-scenes courting of their captain.

Laporta stands down on June 30 and, despite his eagerness to secure Fabregas before then, he stressed that his exit will not signal the end of Barca's efforts, admitting he does not expect a deal to be done while he is there.

Laporta said: "The signing of Cesc is something we want to do but it is very complicated. I have never said that we want to complete the signing before June 30. It will be delayed.

"I do not intend to do anything that could prejudice the price of the operation so that he arrives during my mandate."