Barcelona will battle Real Madrid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas at the end of this season. El Mundo Deportivo says Cesc is close to Barca coach Pep Guardiola, who took the midfielder under his wing when he was coming through the club's junior system. Cesc has never forgotten the support he received from former Barca star.

Barca are now seriously considering bringing Cesc back to the Nou Camp, having gone close to landing him last summer during negotiations with the Fabregas family.

Meanwhile, Florentino Perez is expected to try for Cesc as he prepares to stand for the Real Madrid election. His interest is expected to intensify now that Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has publicly declared no interest in moving to Real.