Arsenal Transfer News: Cesc Fabregas Does Not Travel to Portugal with Arsenal

It seems as if Cesc Fabregas is edging ever closer to a move to FC Barcelona.

ESPNsoccernet is reporting that the Arsenal captain is not traveling to Portugal with the rest of the squad for the Gunners' friendly against Benfica.

Arsenal have not yet attributed Fabregas's reported failure to travel to the phantom "injury" that has kept him out of preseason so far, although it would seem as if they would be unable to do so, considering the fact that Fabregas trained normally with Arsenal on Members' Day and later at London Colney.

As the season creeps ever closer, it seems as if Arsenal are sending stronger and stronger signals that the departure of their captain is imminent. Surely there is no way that Fabregas could take part in Arsenal's first competitive fixtures after completely missing preseason.

However, it would seem from further Soccernet reports that Arsenal and those perpetual annoyances at Barcelona are still quite far away on their valuation of the Spaniard.

I do not purport to be unbiased, but the reported bid of £27 million plus add-ons that would take the deal to £33 million is flat-out derisory.

It seems as if Barcelona just cannot come up with the money to pay a player of Fabregas's quality his fair value, which Arsenal rightly consider to be £40 million.

It does seem, though, as if the two sides are intent on actually getting a deal done before the end of the transfer window as the exclusion of Fabregas from the squad in Portugal clearly shows.

But please, Barca, for the sake of Arsenal supporters everywhere, man up and just pay fair value for one of the best midfielders in the world.

I certainly do not want to lose our captain and talisman, but if and when a respectable sum is paid, I will be more than happy to end this exhausting transfer saga. And if Barcelona refuses, Fabregas will have to play for Arsenal for one more season, like any other player.

If the transfer is destined to go through before the end of August, I hope that Cesc's exclusion from the team in Portugal expedites the process.

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