As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Fabregas finally kicks Barcelona into the long grass

After a summer of speculation, Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas confirmed he is staying with Arsenal this season. The Gunners skipper committed himself to the London club for the 2010-11 season.

However, it may be that speculation resurfaces next summer after the 23 year old admitted a return to his native Catalonia was an "attractive" proposition.

Fabregas said: "I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me.

"I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.

"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100% focused on playing for Arsenal.

"I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out onto the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about.

I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."

He added: "I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment.

"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me. This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing.

"There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.

I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal."

 Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.

Video of the day:

About the author

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free