Simon Hopper gives you his verdict on the World Cup outright market – and he thinks Argentina should be in your betting portfolio. Get all the best World Cup tips at easyodds.com.

Arsenal have turned down Barcelona’s approach for their captain Cesc Fabregas, insisting that they ‘have no interest in transferring’ the midfielder.

Barcelona made an official written bid for the Spain international on Tuesday evening but the Gunners immediately rejected the offer.

Despite Fabregas admitting that he would like to join Barcelona, Arsenal have declared that they expect Fabregas to honour his contract that runs until the summer of 2015.

“Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is under contract with the Club until the summer of 2015. He is a highly valued member of the team and part of our future plans,” a statement on the club’s official website read.

“We have followed recent speculation linking Cesc with a move away from the Club but as there has never been any official approach for him, only two informal exchanges, in which we made it abundantly clear that we have no interest in transferring Cesc, we have refrained from publicly passing comment.

“However, yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that 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.”

Simon Hopper gives you his verdict on the World Cup outright market – and he thinks Argentina should be in your betting portfolio. Get all the best World Cup tips at easyodds.com.

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