Last Updated: Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:47
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed he was eager to join Barcelona but was told he had to stick with the Gunners.
The Spanish champions' pursuit of Fabregas was well documented throughout the summer and the midfielder has now revealed he would have welcomed the chance to move back to the Nou Camp, but Arsenal would not allow him to leave.
"Barcelona did all they could to sign me but Arsenal told me I had to stay, that there was no way they were going to let me go," Fabregas is quoted as saying in the Mail.
However, Barcelona are thought to have offered around £30million for the gifted playmaker and Arsenal will have seen this bid as no where near their valuation of Fabregas.
The 23-year-old is tied down to a long contract, he has four years remaining on his current deal, and the Catalan giants are expected to reignite their interest next summer, or even in the January transfer window. But they will have to up their offer or hope the player himself tries to force a transfer if they are to capture his signature.
Fabregas has revealed he had a long conversation with Arsene Wenger regarding a move to Barcelona, but he will not reveal the details of his talk with the Gunners boss.
He added: "In the end I had to stay ? but the content of my conversation with Arsene Wenger will remain private."
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