Cesc Fabregas wants to complete a move to Barcelona from Arsenal as soon as possible, according to his father. And Carles Puyol, the captain of the Spanish giants and the national side, believes the midfielder schemer would be tailor-made for the Primera Liga champions. Fabregas, who has a contract with Arsenal until 2014, revealed recently at a promotional event in Spain that he would like to return to Barca, where he came through the ranks before joining the Gunners as a 16-year-old.
Francesc Fabregas, his father, confirmed yesterday that the playmaker wants the transfer completed "as soon as possible". The elder Fabregas told Radio Marca yesterday: "The negotiations between Arsenal and Barcelona are going to be very long. Both parties are going to have to sit down several times because the matter is complicated. "Cesc is now focused on the Spanish national team, but he wants the signing to be closed as soon as possible. I don't know how this is going to end up, but I think that we need to respect the decision and the will of the player.
"Cesc has always responded to Arsene Wenger with his work and we are also grateful to Arsenal because they have made our son a man. We only want this to end soon. "At the moment he has a contract with Arsenal. I get the feeling the English club don't want to sell him but in end will allow Cesc to leave." Puyol, meanwhile, seems excited by the prospect of Fabregas lining up in a midfield alongside Xavi and Andreas Iniesta.
"Cesc is an excellent player and a great friend," Puyol said. "For me, he would be perfect for Barcelona. I would love to see him with the azulgrana, but we need to respect that he has a contract with his club. "It's very unusual to see Cesc nervous, but all this is a little problematic for him, because it's a matter that is being talked about daily and he has fans, a coach and teammates that he needs to respect."
However, according to Joan Oliver, the Barcelona corporate director general, the process of possibly bringing Fabregas to Spain is only at its initial stages. "Still there is no offer. It's true that the player has shown his desire to play at Barca, possibly this season. "We have made a first contact with Arsenal, letting them know our intention to talk and this is the current state of the situation," Oliver said on Barca's website.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have already lost one midfielder to Spain after Atletico Madrid confirmed the capture of Fran Merida on a four-year contract yesterday. Merida has been at Arsenal since 2006, having previously been part of the youth set-up at Barcelona. * Agencies