adminGunners are willing to discuss the sale and confirmed the European champions will fight until transfer deadline day on August 31 to land their man. Fabregas (24) has been a long-term target for the Spanish La Liga giants and Guardiola is keen to see the midfielder return to the Nou Camp as quickly as possible.
He said: “You all know about Barca’s interest in Cesc. Arsenal have agreed to negotiate and we’re working on it.
“Barcelona have made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31 to try and reach an agreement.
“There is money set aside for this player and until the last day we will try to bring in Cesc because he will make the squad better. I hope that something can be sorted.
“Until August 31 there is time, but at times things don’t always work out.”
Guardiola also said his pre-season priority is to add a new striker, with Udinese’s Chilean star Alexis Sanchez firmly in his sights.
“The priority is a forward,” he said in his first pre-season news conference, in which he lauded Sanchez.
“Of the three or four possibles that we are looking at, the one that comes closest to the profile we are looking for is Alexis . . . but we understand that these top players cost money to sign. He is a very young player, can play in three attacking positions, with a lot of intensity, very vertical, and from what I’ve been told he’s a very good guy,” said Guardiola.
Sanchez has also been linked with English sides Manchester United and Manchester City, but said last month that he wanted “Barcelona or nothing.”
Barca’s sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, said the club “is in the final stage” of negotiations for Sanchez.
Spanish media said Barcelona would be ready to offer between 25 and 28 million euros for the 22-year-old, with a further 10 million depending on his performance.
Despite his focus on a new forward, Guardiola is not giving up the fight for Spain star Fabregas.
“There is still time,” before the pre-season transfer window closes on August 31, “We will try to reach a deal” on the 24-year-old, said Guardiola.
He rejected suggestions that the move up to the first team of Thiago Alcantara might result in a conflict in midfield.
“We understand that the midfield is our strength, our core game, where everything is produced,” he said.
“We understand there is cash in the Barcelona bank for this signing, if it can be done.”
Wenger has vowed to do everything in his power to prevent the departure of Fabregas, who is known to want to return to the club he has supported since he was a child. He joined the Barca youth academy aged 10 before moving to Arsenal at 16. Barcelona began their pre-season training on Monday. Argentines Lionel Messi and his teammates Gabriel Milito and Javier Mascherano along with the club’s Brazilian players
Daniel Alves and Adriano have been given extended leave to take part in the Copa America. – AFP.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter