Transfer Talk: 10 Winners and Losers If Cesc Fabregas Signs with Barcelona

It is no surprise that Cesc Fabregas is heavily linked with Barcelona, because his switch from Arsenal to Barcelona has been anticipated for years. As one year went by, expectations of the move rose, therefore this year, they are the highest.

The only question about the transfer has been regarding "when", not "if", because everyone knows that Fabregas' heart is in Barcelona. This has been said by many different players who know Cesc, and he himself has also hinted the same statement.

Let's say that Fabregas is leaving this year for argument's sake. Therefore, assuming the deal gets completed, here are the people who benefit and the ones that are hurt.

Winner: Cesc Fabregas

You can't blame Cesc Fabregas for wanting to go back home.

The 24-year-old, who has been a Gunner since 2003, hasn't won too many trophies with the club. In addition, he must feel that many of his team mates aren't living up to their potential, and that he is carrying too much of the team's burden on his shoulders. Not only that, but he is getting a lot of criticism for not being a good captain, and not holding the Arsenal squad together. If he leaves, he will feel like all this is off him.

For Fabregas, Barcelona is home. He has family and friends there, and grew up in Catalonia, while training at La Masia during his youth. For example, he is good friends with Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez. It's not his fault that he wants to return home; it's natural to be a little homesick. 

If he moves to Barcelona, he will ultimately get what he wants.

Loser: Cesc Fabregas

It's possible that Fabregas' move to Barcelona could make him a victim of never-ending criticism from Arsenal supporters. There is much talk about disloyalty in modern sports culture, where people say that athletes care more about money than the team.

Though this isn't a matter of money, it would be bad for Fabregas if Arsenal fans bombarded him with insults and disrespected him, even after all he'd done in North London for eight years.

Hopefully, Arsenal fans (and the media) choose to act graciously toward the man who has helped Arsenal in so many ways.

Winner: Arsenal Transfer Targets

With Fabregas gone, a whole new world of possibilities has opened up for Arsene Wenger. Though he is known to be very miserly, Fabregas' departure will put him in a position where he has to buy someone to help Arsenal's attack.

For a while, some players were ruled out, being deemed "too expensive" because Fabregas was there, but with him gone, Arsenal can afford to buy a star player who could bring something to the club. 

Hopefully, if Cesc goes, Wenger will spend a bit more freely.

Loser: Arsenal's Confidence

With Fabregas on the pitch, Arsenal just seem more mentally sound, and as they gain confidence, their performance on the pitch gains quality.

Imagine you're a team, and your best player is the playmaker; the brilliant passer; the one that makes the squad tick, in addition to being the captain. You would have to feel that when this player is absent, you are prone to panicking, because the idea of this player missing a match is not a good thought.

This is the situation that Arsenal are put in without Cesc; the player who controls the team. You can't blame them for losing confidence, but the lack of self-belief translates into the performance itself.

Fabregas' departure would cause a huge mental blow to the Arsenal squad.

Winner: Aaron Ramsey

When Aaron Ramsey suffered a horrific leg injury at the hands of Ryan Shawcross, he was just 19. For a player who is maturing and gaining experience, there is nothing worse than getting sidelined for more than a year. His development was completely stunted, and while youngsters like Jack Wilshere were winning spots in the Starting XI, he was sitting on the bench, watching them get better.

However, if Fabregas leaves, Ramsey will be almost guaranteed a spot in the Arsenal starting lineup, because he is the squad's next best player of Fabregas' position. Starting games and getting match practice will be crucial for the unfortunate Welshman who lost a whole year of football.

Loser: Thiago Alcantara

Thiago Alcantara, like Aaron Ramsey, is a 20-year-old who is often talked about, in terms of having tremendous talent. It's true; he has a lot of potential, but just needs experience to become a better player. He is even compared to Fabregas, even though Cesc is probably a better player.

If Barcelona bring in Fabregas, the Catalans, who already have enormous depth in the midfield, will put Fabregas before Alcantara in the rotation. Since Alcantara is young, he too needs match practice, but his growth might be stopped to a certain extent if Fabregas makes the move.

Winner: A Post-Xavi Barcelona Attack

When 31-year-old Xavi decides to finally leave the sport, the Barcelona attack will be have taken a severe blow; the same situation that I described in the slide about Arsenal's confidence. Not only that, but Xavi is a better playmaker than Fabregas, so the loss can be magnified.

However, when Xavi decides to retire, Fabregas would be a perfect replacement, as the two play the exact same position, and Fabregas is a world class player.

So if Fabregas was at Barcelona in a few years, a Xavi-less squad would be much better off with Cesc.

Loser: Arsenal Front Line

Without Cesc Fabregas playing behind them and playing inch-perfect balls to generate scoring opportunities, the Arsenal attack is going to take a serious hit. Though Arsenal looked more sturdy without Cesc last season, who knows what is going to happen next year.

Though van Persie was great in scoring goals, there is no way that he could have netted so many without the assistance of Fabregas. Walcott, too will miss Fabregas' through balls to him down the flank in order to create opportunities. Nasri, on the other hand, is not a primary concern, as he showed that he could create opportunities pretty well.

But in total, the attack will definitely be weakened.

Winner: Arsenal, Weight off Their Shoulders

As I have previously said, the Cesc Fabregas dilemma has been an ongoing ordeal that has lasted a few years. His departure would help the Gunners for two reasons:

• Arsenal have had a somewhat guilty conscience, because everybody knew that Fabregas wanted to go to Barcelona. If he leaves, Arsenal's conscience would be cleared because they wouldn't have 'stopped him from going where he wanted.'
• Also, Arsenal's transfer market status and future have been in doubt because no one was quite certain when Fabregas would choose to go (it was evident that he was going to at some point). With Fabregas' departure, there would be a clear-cut decision, and Wenger might have more certainty over his next decision.

Loser: Barcelona's Finance

Barcelona were already in very serious debt before the 2010/2011 season. Then they bought David Villa for €40 million, and just stepped into a bigger pool of dues.

If they sign Fabregas for another €40 million, their debt pile would be enormous, and they would lose all financial credibility. Spending that much money for someone who wouldn't even start would put the club on very shaky ground.

Conclusion

Who is the ultimate winner if Fabregas goes? Arsenal or Barcelona? Please feel free to leave comments and tell me what you think.