Manchester United Transfer News: Barcelona Claims Cesc Fabregas Not for Sale

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been one of Manchester United's main transfer targets this offseason, but it appears as though the Red Devils will have to look elsewhere in order to improve their squad leading up to the 2013-14 EPL season.

According to Jamie Jackson of The Guardian, Barcelona vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu has closed off negotiations for Fabregas, saying, "Barca can ensure they will not entertain any offers for Cesc. He is completely non-transferable."

Manchester United had already placed a £26 million bid for Fabregas, but that apparently wasn't enough to entice the powers that be at Barcelona. Now, new Manchester United manager David Moyes will have to look elsewhere if he plans on making additions to the team in the coming weeks.

There is no question that the 26-year-old Fabregas would have fit in well at Old Trafford as he could have linked up with some of the stars that are already on the roster. Fabregas playing alongside the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and a host of others could have been something quite special.

Fabregas has been key to Barcelona's success, though, so the Spanish side can't be blamed for wanting to hang onto him. Fabregas may not be a huge goalscorer—29 goals in two seasons with Barca—but his 22 assists with the Catalan club confirm that he is a premier playmaker who can find his teammates in dangerous scoring positions.

Letting Fabregas go would have greatly compromised Barcelona's La Liga title chances next season, so perhaps they made the right move. That won't help Manchester United, though, as it continues to search for players to add to a winning formula.

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