Barcelona president Sandro Rosell: We will not pay impossible figure of £44m for Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas in the summer

EPL : Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal v Manchester City (Getty Images)

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Sandro Rosell insists that Barcelona will not pay over the odds to secure the signature of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a move back to the club of his youth for some seasons now, and has maintained that he wishes to play for Barca at some point in his career.

The Catalan club had come in for the 23-year-old last summer, but were unable to acquire the player as the Gunners held fort.

Now, however, the situation has changed with Goal.com UK having exclusively revealed earlier that the north London outfit are willing to part with their skipper during the next transfer window if their valuation is met.

But Rosell insists that a price tag of €50 m (£43.9m) would see the Spanish club opting not to go ahead with any potential discussions in the summer.

“Barca is not disposed to pay €50m (£43.9m) for Cesc Fabregas next summer,” he told Spanish daily Sport.

“That is decided and, although Guardiola demands this player, we will not pay this amount.

“It is impossible due to a simple reason. In football, prices are reduced each year and, if we offered Arsenal €40m (£35.1m) for Cesc last summer, €50m is now impossible.”

Rosell also admitted that Barca would be prepared to sit at the negotiating table if coach Pep Guardiola insisted on signing the World Cup winning footballer, but maintained that the relationship with Arsenal has turned sour after Arsene Wenger signed the Catalan club’s youngster Jon Toral.

At the time, the president had described the Gunners’ advances for the player as “immoral”.

“If the coach demands Cesc we will negotiate with the Gunners, but at a correct limit and without madness and, if the operation is not possible, we will wait for other opportunities,” said Rosell.

“Our relationship with Arsenal is not good. The Toral issue has not pleased us.

“The future of Cesc is in his hands and we could only negotiate with Arsenal if Guardiola insists. Only with any sale is it possible to increase the money for the negotiations.”