Chelsea out to end Barcelona agony of former Arsenal captain
Published:Cesc Fabregas looks set to turn his back on boyhood club Barcelona with a sensational switch to Chelsea in the offing for the Spanish World Cup winner.
According to a report from Marca, the 27-year-old is all set to move to Stamford Bridge as part of a deal that will see the Pensioners pay the Catalans €33m.
The news comes just a day after Arsenal, the club Barcelona purchased Fabregas from, announced that they would not be taking up the buy-back option that had previously been inserted in the Spaniard’s contract with the Nou Camp side.
This decision comes in the wake of the Gunners recent big-money acquisition of Mezut Ozil from Real Madrid last summer, with Arsene Wenger seemingly finding no room for Fabregas in his plans for the team.
Chelsea could yet face some stiff Premier League competition to land the midfielder though, with Manchester United long-term admirers of the 27-year-old’s talents.
However, the Blues have one advantage over the Old Trafford giants in that they would be able to offer the player Champions League football next term.
And with Frank Lampard recently released by the club, there is a definite gap in the first-team which Fabregas can fill, meaning he would most likely be a regular starter for Chelsea – something he has never been at Barcelona.
The decision to let the Spaniard leave the Nou Camp this summer comes off the back of a disappointing season for the Catalans.
Failure to beat Atletico Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League cost the club dearly, with the Rojiblancos dumping them out of Europe at the quarter-final stage and holding them to a draw at home domestically – a result that saw Atleti capture the league title on the final day of the season.
With several big names expected to arrival in Barcelona over the next few weeks, Fabregas looks likely to make way as the Catalans aim to balance their books ahead of the new season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.
