Cesc Fabregas said he rejected Real Madrid a number of times during his time with Arsenal.

The Spaniard felt immense loyalty to Arsene Wenger after the legendary manager handed him his first-team debut at 16 years and 177 days.

"They called me more than once or twice," Monaco ace Fabregas told AS of Real Madrid.

"The first time I was very young. I was 18 and they offered me a big salary, but I felt like I belonged at Arsenal.

"(Arsene) Wenger had bet the farm on me. I couldn't leave.

"In any case, I'll always be grateful to Madrid for the way they treated me. When I was 23 I had a serious calf injury and they sent me a really nice message.

"I'm grateful for their interest in me but I always dreamed of playing for Barca."