Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has reportedly agreed a deal to join Barcelona, according to Catalunya Ràdio.

The Spanish World Cup winner has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp for several years, but as yet both the club and the player have resisted a move.

But it seems, according to local radio, that both Arsenal and Fabregas has given in to Barca's demands.

Fabregas has played a pivotal part in the Arsenal side since making his debut in 2003.

But without a trophy in the past six seasons, Fabregas appears to have given in to Barcelona's craving to bring him back to the club, where he began his career before moving to London.

If Fabregas does leave, then Arsenal may see West Ham United midfielder as an ideal replacement.

Blackburn Rovers accepted Arsenal’s bid for defender Phil Jones last night, but the 19-year-old opted to join Manchester United instead.

The news comes as Jones puts the finishing touches to his switch to Old Trafford, despite Arsène Wenger trying to thrash out a deal last night. This was confirmed by the Lancashire Telegraph, who report that Blackburn did give Wenger permission to discuss a deal, after a fee in excess of £16 million was agreed.

However, despite reports suggesting the Frenchman was ready to offer more in wages, Jones had already decided he wanted to stay in the North, and move to United. The England Under 21 international is the second centre back to reject Arsenal for United, following on from Chris Smalling in January of 2010.

Daily Express journalist Matt Law told his Twitter followers that Wenger “did all he could” to convince Jones.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Porto’s striker Falcao. Falcao admits that he could be tempted to move to another club in Europe this summer. The 25 year old striker has a £26 million release clause in his contract and this is a fee many clubs would be able to match and Wenger should step in and try clinch this deal.

“It would be difficult to leave Porto this summer because the leaders of the club want to support the scheme of the team and reinforce the squad so they can compete in Champions League,” Falcao told talkSPORT.

“I prefer not to read the press but I know I have been linked with Real Madrid and big English clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham. In Europe there are big leagues and I am at a moment of my career when I would like to experience it.”

A lot of Arsenal fans may think that this year was a total failure for the Gunners, but I totally disagree!

Arsenal’s team spirit and winning mentality has grown which can only lead them to regaining the top spot in the league. When I say winning mentality, I mean the ability to beat the top teams, which is key to improving. All that is missing is a bit more passion! However, this will come with maturity.

From the start, you could see that the whole team from last year had matured and were more determined to win a trophy; which looked promising. They were more ruthless in attack and the midfield worked much harder. The inclusion of the new front man Chamakh worked very well due to the “yearly” injury of R.V.P, scoring 11 goals in his first season – not bad for a freebee. Then there is Jack Wilshere… who was a breath of fresh air in the team. Moving straight into the first team from loan he has impressed the whole nation. A huge amount of credit has to go to Wenger for recognising this potential before other managers and ensuring he commits to the gunners. We all look forward to seeing Jack in action next year. It was also a great year for R.V.P. scoring his first hat trick for the Gunners, scoring 18 since the New Year and scoring in nine successive away games.

The games that really impressed me in the Premier league this year were Home v Blackpool, Away v Man City, Home v Chelsea and Home v Man U. The 3-1 win against Chelsea being the one fans will remember for years to come because of the sheer domination rounded off with three well-worked goals. The champions’ league match v Barcelona however, is my favourite game of the season. I have saved the match on my Sky+ box and I do not intend on removing it! It had everything, quality, passion, drama and a class goal from R.V.P. If the team ever doubts their ability then they only need to look back at this game for reminding.

Let us not forget that they are a young squad, who each year finishes in the top four and play the best football in the Premier League. This season has been no different in offering top quality performances home and away. We cannot wait for the day Wenger wins the Premier league and hopefully the Champions’ league with this Arsenal squad, playing the attractive football we all love.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/sport/football/3624148/We-cant-lose-Cesc-and-Nasri.html

Fabregas, 24, has grown increasingly disillusioned with life at the Emirates despite Arsene Wenger's best efforts to keep the Spanish midfielder happy.

A return to Barcelona appears to be on the cards for the World Cup winner, while Nasri is currently stalling on signing a new contract.

He has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester United but Dixon has warned the Gunners it would be a grave mistake to say goodbye to two of their biggest stars.

Dixon, who played for Arsenal from 1988 until 2002, said: "Every year it's a case of is Cesc going or is he staying?

"It will be no different this summer and it's inevitable that he will be linked with a move to Spain. At some point, it's also inevitable that he will actually leave.

"With Nasri, he had a great start to the season and I think he benefitted when Cesc wasn't in the team.

"He seemed to come into his own game a lot more in a central role instead of being out on the wing.

"I think it's imperative the manager keeps the best players, but do you want to keep someone if they are unhappy?

"In my book, it's always best to let unhappy players go and I think Cesc will come into that category sooner rather than later.

"I said at the start of last season that if Arsenal didn't start well, you could quite easily see his head dropping.

"I think he got the captaincy as a result of that to try and keep him at the club and inspire him to push the team on to win trophies.

"But that didn't happen and I don't particularly think he's a good captain anyway.

"I think it's imperative Nasri is made to feel welcome and shown that new signings will come in to strengthen the team.

"Will Cesc go? I think he'll definitely go at some point but to lose both of them will be a big, big blow."

Arsenal began last season with high hopes of becoming the first club to win the Quadruple.

But their campaign collapsed after a shock defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final left Wenger's young side reeling.

United dumped them out of the FA Cup and Barcelona ended Arsenal's hopes of progressing in the Champions League.




At one stage the Gunners appeared to be in danger of missing out on a place in European football's top competition next season but they managed to cling on to fourth in the Premier League.

Dixon admits the picture is fairly bleak at the moment after six trophyless years for the North London outfit.

But he insists his former club can look to Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey as proof that the future can indeed be bright.

Dixon told SunSport: "When Jack was 16, Arsene said to me he believed he was the best player he'd seen at that age.

"I have a lot of respect for Arsene and it's very hard for me to criticise him at times because I know the all-round person.

"He has belief in these players and has built a team to help them develop. Arsene's seen a lot of players come through and Jack is special, there's no doubt about that.

"Jack and Aaron could really be the future of that central midfield area for many years to come.

"With that in mind, perhaps it is the right time for Cesc to move on — for his own sake and for the good of the club."

Liam Brady predicts Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will do "a lot of business" this summer, and believes Samir Nasri will stay at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners saw another season which promised so much fail to deliver as their quest for honours quickly fell apart following defeat in the Carling Cup final to Birmingham.

While Wenger has indicated he will bring in some experienced talent to help his youngsters get over the line in 2012, as yet there have been no transfer dealings despite the likes of Liverpool wasting no time in already agreeing to spend £20million on England Under-21 international Jordan Henderson.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Lille's Ivorian forward Gervinho, as well as Bolton defender Gary Cahill and promising young Blackburn defender Phil Jones.

Brady, head of youth development at Arsenal, maintains the north London club will soon complete on their transfer targets.

"There will be a lot of business done this year and I think we will be spending a bit more money than we have done in past seasons. I think Arsenal will spend this year," Brady told talkSPORT.

However, the former Republic of Ireland midfielder maintained signing talent is never easy, given the competitive market.

"Where are the players to go around everybody? It is not only the clubs in England, but also all the big European clubs are in the transfer market," he said.

Midfielder Nasri last night urged Gunners fans to ignore reports he could be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium.

The France international has yet to agree a new deal and is said to be a target for both Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Brady, though, is confident the 23-year-old will soon commit his long-term future to the Gunners.

"We all rate Nasri," Brady said.

"I believe they had extensive contractual talks but not reached a conclusion, but sometimes it takes time.

"I am optimistic he will be playing with Arsenal next year."

The 24 year-old Ivory Coast international has just won the French Ligue 1 Championship and French Cup Double with Lille and has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United since the end of the season.

But the reason I believe that he has decided to join Arsenal is quite simple. He has earned the right to play in the Champions League with Lille, and just a month ago was quoted as saying: “At the end of the season, me and my advisors will speak to the club and see what to do but if I am leaving a club which will play in the Champions League, I will only go to one who is in the Champions League.

“It’s the best competition and I want to be a part of that set-up every year.”

Well today Gervinho has announced that he has made a decision. He was quoted as saying: “I have made my mind up,” he said. “I will soon meet the club and let them know, but they understand my feelings that I want to prove myself in a top league in Europe.

“My agents are moving things as I want, people know where my future lies, it is in England.”

So how many clubs out of Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool are going to be in the Champions League next season?