Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is willing to pay what it takes to bring Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to Spain. Just hours after Barcelona declared their pursuit of Cesc "dead", Sport says Florentino has told his advisers he will pay whatever Arsenal want to sell their midfield ace.
Real chief Jose Angel Sanchez has been in regular contact with Arsenal for the past month laying the groundwork for serious negotiations over Cesc.
Florentino has budgeted for a €60 million fee for Cesc and is confident Arsenal will sell - unless Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich comes knocking.
The highest Barca went to last summer was €40 million.
Cesc favours a return to Barca, but now knows his old club simply cannot afford to match their rivals in any auction for him this summer.
