Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Updates on Cesc Fabregas Saga

As the Tour de France sprints to a dramatic conclusion, the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas is heating up.

Manchester United had reportedly submitted a £26 million offer for the former Arsenal midfielder last week, looking to pinch the Barca man from under the noses of Arsene Wenger.

Manager David Moyes hoped for more breakthroughs before the start of the weekend, as tweeted by the official Manchester United twitter account:

"

"I may have a bit more information in the next day or so about how it's going." - David Moyes on Cesc Fabregas bid. #mufc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 19, 2013"

Barcelona refuted suggestions Fabregas was leaving the club, describing the midfielder as “non-transferable,” as reported via Jamie Jackson of The Guardian. The player has also never hinted his feelings on leaving the club, despite finding it difficult to cement a first-team place at the Nou Camp.

“I’ve always said that I’m happy at Barca,” he said, as reported via Telegraph’s Mark Ogden.

But as ESPN UK tweet, there looks to have been developments in the race to sign the former Arsenal midfielder:

"

BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United reportedly make new bid of £30m plus add-ons for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas. #mufc #FCBarcelona

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 20, 2013"

With Fabregas and Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski on the radar before Moyes took office, defender Rio Ferdinand made his opinions clear, as reported by Daily Mail’s Matthew Morlidge:

"

Even if you are a great player you become a better one at this club. Cristiano Ronaldo became the best player in the world having come from Sporting Lisbon.

The likes of Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Andy Cole all became great players at United. With this platform you cannot believe anyone would ever turn it down.

If you have ambition your aim has to be to make a name for yourself at a top club. As a player aged between say 23 and 27 that is what you should be looking at. It shows you are going somewhere and want to win trophies.

"

The transfer window has still to really open up, not just in England, but across Europe. 

The Red Devils have lost out on Thiago Alcantara already this summer, so nailing down Fabregas would be a huge boost for Moyes, who has received criticism already about United’s inability to secure deals.

United have already signed Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in preparation for the new season, but many would agree that new additions are still on the way. Fabregas would represent an excellent, top-quality recruit, as well as handing Arsenal a cruel blow in their own preparations.

Here are some alternative views on the potential Fabregas move to United:

"

If MUFC can pull off a deal for Fabregas I'll hold my hands up and say well done. I ridiculed Utd when they made first bid on Monday.

— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) July 20, 2013"

And some are ruling out the idea of Fabregas heading to Old Trafford, until a certain date:

"

Cesc Fàbregas is going to Manchester United... when Arsenal play them on November 10th at Old Trafford.

— Llew Davies (@LlewAFC) July 15, 2013"

Every season has a particular transfer which is longstanding and lasts for nearly the full summer.

Perhaps this one could rumble on right to the end of the window on August 31.