Fabregas - this summers transfer saga?

We are only days away from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but like every summer there is talk and gossip going on about potential transfers happening or not. Last summer it was the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United to Real Madrid that kept us busy, besides transfers of Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking place.

This summer it could be that of FC Arsenal London captain Cesc Fàbregas returning to his home club FC Barcelona. Barca want their lost son back and the lost son wants to return home, only Arsenal don't want their influential captain to leave the Emirates Stadium with Fàbregas still having a contract with the Gunners which runs until 2015.

After much talk and showing of interest FC Barcelona formally handed in a transfer request to Arsenal on Tuesday, which the English Premier League club rejected outright. The offer was said to be in the region of 29 Million Euros, which is much lower then the current market rate at which Fàbregas stands at around 55 Million Euros. It seems like Barca wanted to test the waters, while Arsenal wants to stay firm.

A statement on the Arsenal website said:
"Yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc Fàbregas. In response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again we have no intention of selling our captain. To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word."

Barca meanwhile informed the world about their formal transfer request approach through Twitter.

Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler was born on May 4, 1987 in Vilassar de Mar, north-east of Barcelona in Catalonia. He joined FC Barcelona at a young age, but wasn't seen as someone capable of getting into the first team at a young age. So in 2003 he was allowed to leave for FC Arsenal and only a year later with injuries to key players Fàbregas got his first starts under coach Arsene Wenger for the Gunners in the Premier League. The rest as many would say is history as Fàbregas established himself as a key player in the Arsenal squad, even going on to become the clubs captain.

This summer transfer saga has only started and one will have to see if Arsenal can hang onto Fàbregas or at a certain price the club would agree to sell the Spaniard, maybe in a part cash and player swap deal. Barca have already signed Spanish international striker David Villa from FC Valencia to strengthen their squad further and Fàbregas would be the perfect addition to a squad which already boasts of talent like Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta.