Barca steps up pursuit of Arsenal’s Fabregas

October 12th, 2009 LONDON - Barcelona has admitted that their January shopping list will include targeting Manchester City star Robinho and Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas. The Sun quoted Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain, as saying of Robinho: "He is a very interesting footballer and could play for us in the Champions League." The Nou Camp executive also insisted that his club have not given up their pursuit of Arsenal's Spanish skipper Fabregas, 22.

October 5th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has said he is keen to stay on at the club and has ruled out a move to Barcelona, where he learnt his football skills. "It's my seventh season here and it's hard to hear people say they think I'm not committed enough.

October 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas believes that the team sees coach Arsene Wenger as nothing less than God because he is never completely satisfied and refuses to rest on his laurels, wanting to improve the performance of the squad all the time. Fabregas's comments came as Wenger became Arsenal's longest-serving boss this week, notching up 13 years in charge of the Gunners.

September 30th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed his goal hero Robin van Persie whose 78th-minute strike broke the deadlock against Greek champions Olympiakos. "Thanks to him I don't need to splash cash.

September 18th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has hit back at former teammate and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who left him with a nasty scar during the game. Speaking for the first time about Adebayor's antics during last weekend's defeat at Manchester City, the Arsenal skipper lifted his tracksuit bottom to reveal a nasty three-inch gash across his right calf.

August 20th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is at the centre of a power struggle at Barcelona. According to reports, Fabregas is on Barcelona's hit-list for next summer, and it is believed that a 30 million pound deal has already been struck between Barca and the Gunners.

August 8th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia believes that former defender Kolo Toure quit the Gunners as he was bored, and warned that the same could happen with captain Cesc Fabregas, if they don't win a trophy this year. Toure ended his seven-year stay at the Emirates Stadium to seek fresh adventure with Manchester City following his 14 million pound switch.

August 5th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal is braced for a 31 million pound bid from A C Milan for Cesc Fabregas. Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi will meet coach Leonardo and his technical director Adriano Galliani for transfer talks today, reports The Sun.

July 10th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester City has given Barcelona a weekend deadline to decide striker Samuel Eto'o's future. City thought they had a deal in place when the Spanish giants accepted a 25-million-pound offer for the Cameroon hitman.

July 9th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal do not have enough cash to finance Arsene Wenger's Premier League dream, claims their second-biggest shareholder. The Sun quoted Russian Alisher Usmanov, as saying: "The board are confident they have adequate resources to strengthen the squad.

July 9th, 2009 LONDON - Barcelona star striker Leo Messi has urged his club's top brass to get Cesc Fabregas and Javier Mascherano to retain their European crown. Messi, who scored against Manchester United in the Champions League Final, believes Barcelona must draft in even more quality if they want to keep their position at the summit of club football.

July 6th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal have said that they are ready to sell midfielder Cesc Fabregas for 40 million pounds. "If Arsenal receive a bid in the region of 40 million pounds there will be an enormous pressure to sell," The Sun quoted a Gunner's insider, as saying.

July 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Barcelona last night risked the wrath of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger by publicly tapping-up Cesc Fabregas. Barca president Joan Laporta blatantly invited Fabregas to demand a move to the Nou Camp.

July 1st, 2009 LONDON - The Samuel Eto'o transfer saga descended into farce last night as Barcelona offered him a new three-year deal.However, the Cameroonian striker's agent is suspicious of the club's motives and claims Eto'o may yet join Manchester City, reports The Sun. Eto'o has one year left on his current 110,000-pound-a-week deal and Barca say they want to extend that by two years - keeping him on the same wage.

June 22nd, 2009 LONDON - Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants striker Samuel Eto'o to ignore Manchester City's millions and stay at the Nou Camp for life. The Cameroon striker is on Mark Hughes' wish list, as the City boss looks to spend his massive transfer fund.