On Tuesday Barcelona manager, Tito Vilanova, said that Cesc Fabregas wants to stay at the Camp Nou.
Speaking at a press conference, he said:
“There have been offers for him from other clubs, but I spoke with Cesc and he told me that he was still determined to stay here and be successful, so I’m not worried.
“He doesn’t want to go to other teams for money reasons or playing time. He knows there is competition for places here, but his decision is to stay. I am relaxed about the situation.
“It is a good sign that the club gets offers for our players. It shows we have players other teams want. But Fabregas wants to stay.”
It was widely reported on Monday that Manchester United lodged a £35million bid for Fabregas with the player open to a Premier League return. Vilanova denies this but he was never going to say the opposite. Having lost out on Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich, David Moyes is still on the lookout for players to strengthen his midfield. And his targets are not only ambitious but they’re a signal of intent.
Like any club we’ve had our problems in the past when failing to attract the big names. Thiago may not have cemented a place into the Barcelona first-team during his four year stint, but he would have come in as a regular starter at Old Trafford. Fabregas is on the same boat. Aged 26, the former Arsenal captain shouldn’t need any time adjusting to the English game after already spending eight years here before making a ‘dream’ return to Spain.
He’s a quality player, and I don’t agree for one second with Lou Macari that Marouane Fellaini would prove to be a better signing. Macari, I guess, is being diplomatic because he feels Fabregas won’t sign. It’s not the first, or last, silly thing to come out of his mouth.
Macari told talkSPORT:
“What Fellaini gives you, which Fabregas doesn’t, is goals. He likes to get forward and I’m not sure [Fabregas] gives you that. What Fabregas does do, though, is give you the ability to knock the balls around.
“They desperately need someone in there. There are one or two players missing at the moment. Ashley Young is out injured, Antonio Valencia is not on the Far East tour, Ryan Giggs is not getting any younger and Paul Scholes is gone.”
“People were screaming last season for a midfield player to come in and this year the need is even greater.”
In a way it’s quite comical. Fabregas proved at Arsenal that he is more than capable of scoring goals or assisting them. Fellaini, a year younger that the Spanish midfielder, is nowhere near as good. However knowing how our business has planned out in recent years, I could be eating my words in August.
Fans have been calling out for a world class midfielder for years now. Thiago potentially fit that bill, but Fabregas is ready made. He would come in as an instant influence like his former teammate Robin van Persie did. Would he alone fix our central problems? Well, Moyes is not only eyeing a replacement for Paul Scholes but it is believed he wants a defensive midfielder too. I can’t help but wonder what the Glazer family think of that.
The most likely outcome will be Moyes pictured with his arm wrapped around Ross Barkley. “Now lads,” he says to the squad. “There’s your fucking marque signing.”
Meanwhile, David de Gea believes he can join United’s list of great goalkeepers. Speaking from Australia, the Spaniard said:
“When Edwin van der Sar said he was leaving Manchester United [two years ago] I wanted to be the man to replace him. I would love if one day the fans speak of me in the same way they speak of Edwin and Peter Schmeichel. That would mean all the hard work has paid off.”
If you read the blog regularly (you really should, or else…) you’ll know I always held Dave in high regard. I even call him Dave! But does anything really need to be added to those quotes? He understands what the club is about, expectations along with the hard work. The 22-year-old has rubbished doubters over and over and is even urging the club to bring in top players. That says something to me.
“It would be great if Cesc came here.
“It would be great to have more Spanish players at Manchester United.
“He’s a great player; very skilful, knows how to win things. You always want those type of players in your team.”
More Spanish players at United? Make them midfielders and we’ll be laughing. Anyone with an exotic name actually; we’re becoming that desperate.
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