Forget Barcelona: Why Arsenal Midfielder Cesc Fabregas Is Going Nowhere

All I can say is: Here we go again.

The Fabregas to Barcelona story is back in full swing following yesterday's quotes from Txiki Begiristain claiming Barcelona may bid for the Arsenal midfielder. 

Speaking to Spanish tabloid Marca, Begiristain said:

"It depends on how much we want to spend, if we spend a lot of money, it is possible [to bid for Fabregas]. We do not know how much it will be yet. We have not asked Arsenal. If the amount is too high, we will not try."

My initial reaction to this is Barcelona do not have enough money. To take Fabregas from Arsenal would require a big, big bid. My feeling is something in the region of £45-£60 million would do it.

However, my hunch is that they simply do not have this money after the purchases of Ibrahimovic, Keirrison, and Maxwell at an accumulated cost of €65 million.

The fact Begiristain pointed out that they would not bid if the asking price was too high says to me they aren't too ambitious about signing Fabregas at this moment in time. Ultimately Barcelona know Arsenal do not want to sell.

In addition, if one is to look at the situation from Arsenal's point of view, selling Fabregas does not make any sense at all. He is crucial to the team and any silverware challenge they wish to make.

Also, selling yet another club captain and one of the most talented players from the club, and indeed the league, would communicate a lack of ambition to the fans.

It would give Wenger all sorts of additional problems, leaving centre midfield embarrassingly weak on top of the already frail centre back department. Anyone left in the Wenger-knows brigade would lose faith in Le Professeur.

Thirdly, Fabregas is club captain. He is playing for the man who propelled him to world super-stardom. He is playing for fans who adore him. Cesc believes he can win trophies with this team.

Anyone who watches Arsenal regularly will agree that with a couple of good signings this is potentially a great team that can win trophies. Why would Fabregas leave at such a young age with this possibility approaching?

And finally—Fabregas has said multiple times this summer that he is committed to the Arsenal cause.

Arsenal will not voluntarily sell Fabregas, and Fabregas will certainly not try to force their hand. He is happy at Arsenal and he will stay.