Barcelona plan to use the international break to open talks with Arsenal about a summer deal for Cesc Fabregas.

It emerged over the weekend that Arsenal‘s board have decided to cash in on Cesc to the tune of £45 million.

Sport says Barca are encouraged by the latest valuation, having had an offer of £30 million plus £2.5 million in bonuses turned down last summer.

The Gunners haven’t been in recent contact with Barca about reopening negotiations, but the Spanish Liga leaders are convinced they can talk down their asking price.

Cesc is frustrated by Arsenal‘s latest trophy flop, though he has not spoken to manager Arsene Wenger about his future. For the moment, the Gunners captain is focusing on recovering from a hamstring injury.

Dani Alves could sign a contract extension with reigning Spanish champions Barcelona in the coming days, a report in Catalan publication Sport suggests.

The 27-year-old defender and the Blaugrana have been in talks for several weeks now and the club seem determined to wrap up negotiations by the end of the week.

Alves met with club president Sandro Rosell at the weekend to discuss the player’s future and Rosell made it clear that Barcelona are keen to hold on to “the best right back in the world”. Meanwhile, Alves told Rosell of his intentions to stay put.

The former Sevilla defender will join up with the Brazil squad this week for the international friendly against Scotland and Joaquin Macanas, Alves’ agent, will continue talks with a Barcelona delegation in midweek.

The report about Dani Alves’ imminent contract renewal comes only one day after the News of the World suggested that Premier League side Manchester City were ready to make a move for the highly rated full-back, but it seems as if the Citizens will miss out on signing the defender.