Wenger Insists on Keeping Fabregas
During the final talks between Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and his team captain Cesc Fabregas on Thursday, the manager will insist that the midfielder remain at the club, despite persistent interest from Spanish champions Barcelona.
The Spanish midfielder joined the London club from Barcelona in 2003, at 16. Fabregas, now 23, has been courted by the Catalans for several seasons.
During the current transfer window, it has been thought that Arsenal's lack of silverware of late would finally lead to Fabregas' departure.
The club has not won a trophy since 2005, when an aging team defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are the reigning Spanish champions and won the Champions League in 2008.
Club Loyalty Above All?
But ahead of his final talks with Fabregas on Thursday, Wenger was reported to be confident that his star midfielder would remain with the club, believing he would follow the example set by Fabregas' Spain teammate Fernando Torres, who recently declared his loyalty to Liverpool despite his club's absence from the Champions League this season.
Arsenal will be playing in the Champions League, which starts this month, but must improve their league form to challenge for the domestic title.
Wenger, for whom Fabregas has expressed his admiration on several occasions, will appeal to the Spaniard's loyalty to Arsenal during the talks.
The club’s hopes for silverware would be severely dented by Fabregas’ departure, whose passing vision and creativity has been instrumental in attack since the 2004/2005 season.
Several of Barcelona’s Spanish players, including defender Carlos Puyol and midfield playmaker Xavi Hernandez, have backed Fabregas to make the switch to Barcelona.
During the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it was reported that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola met with the player.
Failing Finances at Barca
But Barcelona have been troubled by an increasing debt, which may have added to Wenger’s optimism about Fabregas’ future.
The club recently borrowed €155 million from several Spanish banks, and newly elected president Sandro Rosell disclosed a gross debt figure of €552 million.
But if Wenger has his way, it will be Fabregas’ loyalty to Arsenal that will decide the fate of this hotly debated transfer story, rather than Barcelona's club finances.
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