Fabregas: I want to re-join Barcelona

Barcelona are considering making a move for Cesc Fabregas after the Arsenal captain's admission that he would like to return to the Catalan giants.

Last week Fabregas, 23, who joined the Gunners from Barca in 2003, said he would only leave Arsenal for Barcelona.

Barca president Joan Laporta said: "It is remarkable the player has said that. If we believe we must make an effort, we will and we will talk to Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Barcelona are close to signing Valencia striker David Villa.

The Spanish international is holding talks with the La Liga champions and Laporta said: "We are in the negotiating process and everything is going in the right direction.

"We hope it is resolved soon. We have set a specific date and will do what is best for the club."

Laporta's reign as the Catalan club's president comes to an end this summer and two of his potential successors, Sandro Rosell and Alfons Godall, have mentioned signing Fabregas as part of their election campaign.

The midfielder played alongside current Barca favourite Lionel Messi in the youth team at the Nou Camp before moving to north London seven years ago.

And speculation over his return to Spain intensified when Fabregas, in answer to the question "if you leave Arsenal, will it be for Barcelona?", replied "yes".

"You see your Spanish team-mates succeeding here at Barcelona and it is exciting because you have worked alongside them for so long," he added.

"I think I would like to go to Barcelona, whether or not they want me is another thing."

However, Fabregas, who signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006, added: "I don't know when it will happen. I am happy at Arsenal and I am not in a rush to leave.

"Before I leave for the World Cup I want my future sorted out because it benefits nobody if I go into the tournament with something else on my mind."

Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste told Catalonian radio station Ona FM on Monday: "Negotiations are progressing well especially in the case of Villa.

"The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement.

"But what makes it easier is that the players want to come to Barca."

BBC SPORT

I hope he doesn't go, Arsenal need to sign, in addition to a centre back and a decent centre forward a solid defensive midfielder to sit behind Fabregas and allow him to drive the team forward.

If Arsenal let him go they will be in serious danger of a fans backlash and you'd have to say you can see why.