Arsenal fans
face an anxious wait after Cesc Fabregas revealed he is considering his
future at the north London club, and would come to a decision before
the start of the World Cup.
The Spain star has long been
linked with a move back to Barcelona, where he was a youth player
before moving to the Gunners, but Arsene Wenger has continually denied
his skipper would be leaving.
But Fabregas has now openly
admitted a cloud hangs over his future. The midfielder also again
reiterated that if he were to leave Arsenal the only destination he
would consider would be the Nou Camp.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, while Spain get their campaign
underway against Switzerland on June 16. Despite missing the end of the
domestic season with a broken leg - suffered, ironically, against
Barcelona - Fabregas has been named in his country's provisional 30-man
squad for the tournament.
'If I decide to leave Arsenal, it
will be to wear the shirt of Barcelona. I don't know when this will
happen though. I'm very happy at Arsenal. I'm in no hurry to leave the
club,' Fabregas told Spanish newspaper Marca.
I want to make a decision about my future before the start of the
World Cup. It's impossible to perform at a tournament like the World
Cup if you're not fully focused on the sporting aspects of the game. I
don't want to be distracted by transfer talk.'
Barcelona are due
to hold presidential elections this summer, where prospective
candidates promise stellar signings to promote their bid for power.
Local boy Fabregas would be a hugely popular arrival at the Nou Camp
due to his links with the club, meaning a huge offer could soon arrive
on Wenger's doorstep.
Fabregas, however, also stated that no prospective presidents had
been in touch about a transfer and played down any talk of a move while
Barcelona battle it out with Real Madrid for the Spanish title. The
final fixtures in La Liga will be played this weekend.
'Barcelona
are still playing for the Liga title and I'm still an Arsenal player.
It would be a lack of respect to discuss a transfer now,' he added. 'No
candidates for the Barcelona presidency have approached me, so I don't
feel used.'