Arsenal Can Find Solace in Cesc Fabregas Saga from Barcelona's Latest Signing

Barcelona and Pep Guardiola confirmed their long-rumored interests in signing Chilean star forward Alexis Sanchez, signing the 22-year-old striker from the Italian club Udinese for a rather tamed market price of 26 million Euros. The transfer fee agreed upon by the clubs included 11.5 million Euros in additions based upon performance.

This is a far cry from the 50 million pounds (€56m) transfer fee Liverpool robbed Chelsea of in plain daylight for the out of form Spanish forward Fernando Torres breaking the British transfer record. Barcelona’s latest signing reinforced their preference of signing a forward rather than Cesc Fabregas, the "suffering" midfielder who had allegedly been stolen and held for ransom by Arsenal, according to members of the Barcelona squad.

This deal took place in the back half of a week with rumors of an Arsenal issued 10-day deadline to the Catalan club to either pay the listed price or get lost. The deadline exclaimed a firm statement by the London brass: "put your money where your mouth is."

Rumors have circulated throughout Arsenal fans that Barcelona does not truly desire the services of Cesc Fabregas at the moment, viewing him as overvalued and regressing in form. The British and Spanish media lit up yesterday taking quotes from Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola discussing their transfer plans for the second half of the summer and publicizing the negotiations that went on between the two clubs:

“This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it.

“Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until 31 August and we'll try to reach an agreement.

“There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn't work out it will be kept in the box for something else. We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad.”

The British and Spanish media both ran with the misleading headline that Pep declared they would “fight till the end” to sign Fabregas this summer to close to heart. Many Arsenal fans and blogs have grown an elephant like thick skin to the hyperbole and empty stories about their beloved captain.

The Arsenal supporters believe Barcelona have let their players act unprofessionally as they spit off claims made by Fabregas and how they long for their long lost country men. Barcelona placed a dismal insulting €26 bid for the world-class assist master—a bid that satisfied a formality of showing intent to their own jaded fans all while showing their cards to Fabregas and Arsenal.

Arsenal should be reaffirmed in their negotiation position by the UEFA European and Spanish League Champions move. This should muzzle the British media, maybe even the Spanish media as well, as their focus shifts elsewhere allowing Arsenal to continue their transfer pursuits behind closed doors, the way they prefer to handle business.

Arsene Wenger can move forward integrating the much anticipated signing of his French compatriot Gervinho into the squad and continue trying to influence players like Samir Nasri that staying in North London remains their best footballing interest.

Meanwhile Wenger continues to prepare the current gunners for the potentially pestilent start of the new season while his staff scours every city, farm, academy, and league throughout Europe for new, proven signings that carry an affordable price tag. The "kidnapped" Fabregas looks keen to remain captive to his current employer and forced to show his character once again this season in London.