Barcelona ready to bid £30 million for Fabregas

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has launched this summer's attempt to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Guardiola has urged sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and president Sandro Rosell to go all-out to sign Fabregas and make Barcelona’s Champions League winners even better.

Barcelona have already agreed a £35million deal to sign Villarreal’s former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi and Guardiola is determined to get Fabregas.

But Barcelona do face a financial struggle to get Fabregas, especially as, even though the Spanish midfielder has made it clear that if he leaves Arsenal then it would only be for the Nou Camp, there is also strong interest from Manchester City.

Arsenal will do everything to rebuff Barcelona’s interest, which is likely to start around the £30m mark, but there is a feeling that if a huge offer, of around £50m, came in then they might be tempted to do business.

City boss Roberto Mancini’s admiration of Fabregas has already been documented, and their wealth could force the player's value up - and leave Barcelona struggling to compete.

Amid Barcelona’s Champions league final celebrations, veteran defender Carles Puyol made it clear the players want the club to sign Fabregas.

“I am convinced that Cesc will soon be playing with us,” he said.

Guardiola wants to make it happen as well, as he looks to make the best even better, and Zubizarreta and Rosell are now set to begin their operation to try and land Fabregas.

It would represent another attempt by Barca to keep Guardiola happy, as the coach dropped hints after their Wembley win that he may quit in a year’s time.

Rosell is determined to keep his coach and ensure Barcelona win more silverware.

Guardiola would be a target for Chelsea and Manchester United in the future, while 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar want to make him a megabucks offer to be national-team boss.

Rosell added: “Pep is with us and that is for sure. The money will not change his decisions.”