Real Madrid, Barcelona to slap in £40M January bids for Arsenal's Cesc

Arsenal face a test of their resolve ahead of the January market over captain Cesc Fabregas.

Marca says Barcelona and Real Madrid are preparing to enter into a January bidding war for the services of Cesc.

The Arsenal skipper has made up his mind to leave the club at the end of the season, but both clubs are preparing massive bids to tempt Fabregas away in the next transfer window.

Long-term suitors Barcelona would be the clear favourites for Fabregas' signature, and Marca claim that the club's vice president Sandro Rosell has already received a positive response after making discrete enquiries about the move.

Real Madrid are also on the look-out for a world class midfielder though. And with Steven Gerrard considered too old, they consider Fabregas to be the ideal partner for Xabi Alonso.