Arsenal chief Gazidis writes to Barcelona to warn them off Cesc

Arsenal are determined to fight off Barcelona's pursuit of their club captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Mirror says Spanish giants Barcelona are ready to launch a £40m bid for Fabregas this summer and believe they may be able to lure him away unless Arsenal win some silverware this season.

But Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has already written to Barcelona to demand the Spanish giants stop their very public campaign to try to sign Fabregas.

Gazidis wanted to know why stories keep appearing in the Spanish press and for the club’s executives to stop making statements about the Arsenal captain.

Barcelona did try to reassure Arsenal that they were not “tapping-up" Fabregas and gave the Gunners other assurances that they were not acting illegally, but it is clear that they are desperate to sign the midfield ace.