Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas not leaving this summer, says Gerardo Martino
Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas not leaving this summer, says Gerardo Martino
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has insisted he is not concerned about losing Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United.
Three days ago the Catalan club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said he thought David Moyes' side's pursuit of the midfielder was over, after they had two bids turned down.
Martino has previously admitted it is also up to Fabregas to decide on his future, but he has now played down the chances of a move and made it clear that he will stay.
Fabregas started in Barcelona's 7-1 win over Thailand on Wednesday and after the game Martino stressed that he was not worried about the player, concerning himself more with the fitness of club captain Carles Puyol, who is still recovering from a knee operation.
"Fabregas is still our player and he will be with us for this season," Martino is quoted as telling AS.
"Right now I'm more worried about whether Puyol will recover."
The declining physical state of the 35-year-old Catalan defender has made buying a centre-back one of Barcelona's priorities this summer, and it is understood that a bid has been made for Chelsea's David Luiz.
However, Martino refused to shed any light on a possible move for the Brazilian.
"I'm in Thailand, I know nothing about any negotiations," he said.
David Moyes Believes Cesc Will Fit United
.jpg)
Former Manchester United defender David May believes a move to Old Trafford would be "perfect" for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
United have so far been rebuffed in their attempts to bring Fabregas back to the Premier League ahead of the new season, but May believes the former Arsenal captain might fancy the move if Barca's asking price is met.
He told Sky Sports News Radio: "When good players are there it's right that United should go for them. I wouldn't say that they're desperate; Barcelona are holding on to him, and rightly so because he is a good player.
"I think it's down to Cesc at the end of the day. If he feels he's not going to get in front of Xavi and (Andrés) Iniesta then the move to United would be perfect for him."
May also feels that United should knock back any approaches for unsettled striker Wayne Rooney, with time running out to find a replacement before the transfer window shuts in five weeks' time.
"To lose Wayne would be losing probably 20 goals next season and you're going to run out of time [to replace him], with forwards at a premium.
"If we do get rid of Wayne or if he decides to leave then we've got to replace him. Clubs out there don't want to lose their best players."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)