Barcelona and United clash in transfer saga over Cesc Fabregas
Published:Manchester United are pushing hard to sign Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas this summer.
United boss David Moyes is desperate to add creativity to his midfield – and wants to land Fabregas at Old Trafford with odds on the move available at just 5/4.
Having been as long as 5/1 a month ago, the 26-year-old is now close to odds-on to leave the Nou Camp for Manchester.
However, given the links to United’s rivals Arsenal and the sale of Fabregas’ team-mate Thiago Alcantara, the playmaker looks more likely to stay.
Moyes was beaten to Thiago by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, which gives Fabregas one less competitor for a central midfield berth at Barcelona.
And with the Mirror reporting that the former Gunners captain has told friends he would only return to the Premier League with Arsenal, they are worth considering at 7/2.
The English champions are confident of luring Fabregas though, and have increased their initial £25million bid to Barca for the Spaniard to £30m.
“I am in contact with the chief exec, Ed Woodward, who has been dealing with it just now,” Moyes said about United’s move for Fabregas.
“I’ll hopefully know a little more in the next day or so and I may have a bit more information about how it’s going.
“But as far as players we are looking to bring in, we are working hard to do that and make some additions to the squad. Hopefully there will be some good news in the not too distant future.”
However, the La Liga winners have copied United’s stance over Wayne Rooney with Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartome responding by insisting Fabregas is not for sale.
“We can assure you that we won’t listen to any offers for Cesc,” announced Bartome.
“It is not an option. Cesc is non-transferable.”
That statement puts value behind Barca’s 2/7 odds to keep their academy graduate, although manager Tito Vilanova’s unfortunate resignation could complicate matters.
Vilanova has had to step down due to his on-going battle with cancer, although Fabregas is said to be happy to stay at the Catalan club.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
