Cesc Fabregas is seeking new contract talks with Arsenal.

The Telegraph says the Arsenal board are steeling themselves for tough contract negotiations with Cesc Fabregas after it emerged the Spanish midfielder's new agent is Darren Dein, son of the club's estranged former vice-chairman, David Dein.

Fabregas is already committed to Arsenal until 2014, but the club recognise the need to tie him to an improved deal in keeping with his status as one of the finest young players in the world - and to ward off Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Tentative talks began earlier this year and the Arsenal board were then furious when they found out that Fabregas sacked his Spanish agent, Joseba Diaz seven weeks ago and replaced him with Darren Dein.