Guardian’s reliable Spanish source has claimed that Barcelona’s sale of Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United may go ahead despite the players preferences in order to make up for the Catalan’s hefty net spend of recent years.
United have voiced their intent to smash their current transfer record – the £30.8million they paid for Spurs’ Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.
Funds
Barcelona’s success in the Champions League has usually been enough to fund the Spanish club’s spending sprees. In 2010 they had a net transfer spend of -€28million brining in players like David Villa and Javier Mascherano. In 2011 it was -€13.25million after splashing €60million on Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, then selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And in 2013, Barcelona spent €33million on Jordi Alba and Alex Song with no transfer income whatsoever.
So far this year they are stuck with -€26million after the sale of Thiago Alcantara to Bayern but the marquee signing of Brazilian superstar Neymar.
So a little over €100million net over the past 4 years, and only the high-profile outbound transfers of Yaya Toure and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in an attempt to balance the books.
With Barcelona missing out on the Champions League final after a crushing 7-0 semi-final defeat to Munich, their income has yet again fallen short. An £85million 5-year contract for Lionel Messi on top of a Spanish economy in turmoil spells trouble.
Man Utd show interest
With United willing to spend up to £35million for Cesc, Barcelona’s transfers this year would be balanced. The sale of Alcantara for around £20million and a £35million move for Fabregas would account for Neymar’s big money move.
Fabregas’ frustration at a lack of playing time – and in the wrong position – could open the door for the once Arsenal captain to return to England.
United’s £26million bid for Fabregas after losing out on Alcantara themselves was said to be rejected, with the next bid looking to be around £31million.
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If Cesc becomes available and Arsenal don't take up the first refusal option and he ends up at United then I am done with Arsenal.
That'll be 25 years of support thrown away.
Season ticket will be sold and never renewed.
I'm sick to death of Arsenal mugging fans off.
If a club offer above £25m we have to be informed and are given first option to match the offer. If we match it we have first refusal for Cesc, however he could simply refuse to re-join us and then if we pulled out he could join another club.
The 50% sell on is that we get 50% of the profits above £30m. So if he sells for less than this we get noting, if he goes for £40m we would get half of the £10m profit.
They have to offer him to Arsenal first!!! Would any club in the world refuse Cesc?? HELL NO!!!! If he is to be sold Arsenal would get him for £25 million!!
They had first refusel if they sold him but wenger isn't interested