Fabregas in Barca hint

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas has failed to dampen speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona during a gathering in the north of the city.

The Gunners captain attended an event in his hometown of Arenys de Mar that paid tribute to his contribution towards Spain's successful World Cup finals.

The 23-year-old has been the subject of a Ј30million offer from Barcelona this summer, although Arsene Wenger is unwilling to sell at any price.

Fabregas was brought to tears after a video chronicling his early Barca years and, after addressing the crowd, he hinted that he was keen to return to Catalunya sooner rather than later.

"I hope to see all of you more often and closer," he stated.

Meeting

Meanwhile, Barcelona's ex-president Joan Gaspart has urged the club's new supremo Sandro Rosell to meet with Wenger personally if he wants to land Fabregas.

Gaspart, who had several dealings with Arsenal and Wenger during his three-year tenure, believes the only way for the matter to be resolved is for Rosell to travel to North London.

"My advice, and that's what I've told him (Rosell), is that this will end by catching the plane to London and sitting down face to face with Wenger," he told Com Radio .

"Not by telephone, not with intermediaries - this has to be resolved with a meeting in person.

"Rosell must not be scared. If he fails, the whole world will understand but no-one will be able to say that he didn't try until the end.

"This fear that he is going to fail - he shouldn't have it. It's very difficult for Arsenal to want to keep a player who doesn't want to stay.

"The English are very English, very hard at the time of negotiating. Moreover, Mr Wenger, as a good Frenchman, knows how to play his cards.

"I have seen him in negotiations and he has ended up selling. You have to meet him face to face to know if he is bluffing."

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