Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas has failed to quell speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona during a gathering close to the Spanish city.
The Gunners captain attended an event in his hometown of Arenys de Mar that paid tribute to his contribution towards Spain’s successful World Cup finals.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of a £30million offer from Barcelona this summer, although Arsene Wenger has insisted that the player is not for sale.
Fabregas was emotional after watching a video chronicling his early Barca years and, after addressing the crowd, he hinted that he was keen to return to the club sooner rather than later.
“I hope to see all of you more often and closer,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s ex-president Joan Gaspart has urged the club’s new chief Sandro Rosell to meet Wenger face-to-face if he wants to sign Fabregas.
“My advice, and that’s what I’ve told him (Rosell), is that this will end by catching the plane to London and sitting down face to face with Wenger,” he told Com Radio.
“Not by telephone, not with intermediaries – this has to be resolved with a meeting in person.
“Rosell must not be scared. If he fails, the whole world will understand but no-one will be able to say that he didn’t try until the end.
“This fear that he is going to fail – he shouldn’t have it. It’s very difficult for Arsenal to want to keep a player who doesn’t want to stay.
“The English are very English, very hard at the time of negotiating. Moreover, Mr Wenger, as a good Frenchman, knows how to play his cards.
“I have seen him in negotiations and he has ended up selling. You have to meet him face to face to know if he is bluffing.”
