Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Should Barcelona Be so Confident in Fabregas Bid?

Arsenal have found themselves dragged kicking and screaming into yet another fight to keep midfield sensation Cesc Fabregas a Gunner this summer. Barcelona have been engaged in a nearly two-month long push to bring the talented Spaniard (and Arsenal captain) into the fold once again, after the north London club grabbed the 16-year-old phenom seven years ago. 

The race to keep Fabregas a Gunner has quickly become one of the most compelling plots of the summer once again, as sniping from Barca players (and occasionally management) has made an otherwise routine bidding process much more interesting. 

Now, with a Catalan delegation at Emirates to negotiate a potential deal, it would seem that the end of the saga may be near, one way or another. The Spanish club seem intent on waiting out Arsene Wenger and the Gunners, while Wenger is more than content to engage in a staring contest in which he doesn't need to blink. 

But, a Mirror Football report indicates that the saga might not have the ending Gunner fans hope it will. Barcelona vice president Josep Bartomeu told reporters that he felt incredibly confident in his team's ability to sign the prodigal prodigy, given the progress that had been made thus far on the deal. 

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"They [the talks] are going in the right direction," he said. "We will try and do what we can with the money we have.

"We have until August 30 to do things and I am sure we will."

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Clearly, Bartomeu likes his chances. But should he? Should Barcelona really feel so supremely confident about their chances, or is this just a bit of misplaced optimism?

The Catalan club certainly has to feel more confident in their ability to complete this deal than they did a month ago. Back then, Wenger was stonewalling the Spanish club at every turn, and their chances of finishing the job have increased since getting to the bargaining table. 

Barca also have to be encouraged by the reports that the Gunners are willing to settle for less than the hard-line £40 million fee, assuming that the Catalan club are willing to throw supremely talented young midfielder Thiago Alcantara into the deal. 

While that's certainly encouraging progress for the Spanish giants, it's hardly cause for a major confidence boost. While the Gunners are actually at the bargaining table, and while Arsenal are willing to accept a player-cash swap, Barcelona have shown no indication whatsoever that they want to deal Alcantara in any deal for any player this summer.

They see the 20-year-old midfielder as the future of their club's incredible midfield and were confident enough in his skills to sign him to a four-year deal earlier this month. 

If you think Wenger and the Gunners don't know that Alcantara is virtually untouchable in any deal, you haven't been paying attention. 

Arsenal know Barca don't have the cash to get Fabregas. So, they're trying to get the player Barca don't want to give up in order to let their captain go, which means the Catalan juggernaut are no closer to actually completing a deal for the talented 24-year-old than they were last week. 

Wenger and the Gunners still have no plans of letting Fabregas leave. Sure, they're willing to wheel and deal with them, and if the Catalans actually pull the trigger and send Alcantara to Emirates they'll take the deal, but they know Barca won't do it. 

This is how Wenger operates when he's selling a player he doesn't need to deal. He holds the rights to Fabregas through 2015, and knows he doesn't have to settle for a deal he doesn't like. 

Could this deal go through? Sure; Barca could decide that Fabregas is a better fit for them than Alcantara and let their promising young starlet go. 

But given the way Barcelona have acted this summer, given their inability to submit a formal bid anywhere near Arsenal's asking price, and given the fact that they've pegged Alcantara as their best midfield youngster, I just don't see it happening. The Gunners' price bar is still likely too high for Barca, and unless the Spaniards are willing to drop more cash or give up their future star, Fabregas is likely to stay put. 

Arsenal may be willing to bargain more than they were before, but don't expect the defending European champions to be any more willing to meet their terms.