Barcelona manager Gerard Martino has admitted Cesc Fabregas’ will decide his own future amidst the ongoing interest from Premier League champions Manchester United this summer.
‘Cesc will decide the situation, but it has not occurred to me that I won’t be able to count on him. He is one of the best players in the squad. I think he will stay. But there’s a part that he has to decide.’
Manchester United manager David Moyes has been outspoken in his desire to bring the Spanish international to Old Trafford for the coming season.
Barcelona were said to have rejected two bids from United for Fabregas – reportedly around £25M and £30M.
While the Catalan giants had previously been adamant the midfielder wasn’t for sale at any price, Martino’s words now open the door for potentially a third approach from Manchester United.
Fabregas has never openly said he is unhappy with the La Liga champions, but he didn’t enjoy the best season from a personal note, and many feel he could be persuaded back to England for the 2013/14 campaign.
Although the 26-year old scored 11 goals in 32 games from midfield, individual performances left a lot to be desired in a lot of games in La Liga.
Martino added how he’d keep Fabregas at the club given the choice, but clearly feels there’s a chance the former Arsenal man could leave the side.
After Barcelona sold young and highly-rated midfielder Thiago Alcantara to Champions League winners Bayern Munich this summer, the chances of the side selling another central midfielder appear very slim.
There has been no word from the Manchester United camp if they are preparing to make a third bid for Fabregas, but Moyes failed to rule out the possibility after their £30M offer was turned down over a week ago. He’s been the side’s top priority so it seems unlikely they will give up until the transfer window shuts.
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