The Premiership takes a break this weekend as the football focus is shifted towards the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Click here for all games & betting.

Barcelona’s Director of Football, Txiki Beguiristain, admits the circumstances surrounding Cesc Fabregas’ departure from the club in 2003, means it unlikely that they will pay a premium price for the Arsenal midfielder.

Fabregas left Camp Nou as a 16-year-old and, after emerging as one of England’s best midfielders, he has now been linked with a return to Barca.

Fabregas’ agent Joseba Diaz recently admitted that he would welcome any interest from Barcelona and that the Spanish international would be flattered if the club expressed an interest in signing him.

However, Fabregas’ decision to leave Barca makes it unlikely that they would part with the huge figure that would be needed to sign the player who has seven years left on his contract in North London.

“He is a great player but the circumstances of his exit make things very difficult,” Beguiristain told Avui.

“We cannot pay a great amount for a homegrown player that decided to leave us.”

“To start with he would have to show his desire to return.


The Premiership takes a break this weekend as the football focus is shifted towards the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Click here for all games & betting.