Barca deliver strong message to Premier League champions.
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Manchester United’s hopes of signing FC Barcelona midfield player Cesc Fabregas look doomed after the Liga champions confirmed that they would not be selling the Spaniard at any price this summer, reports the Daily Mirror.
New Red Devils head coach David Moyes has been closely monitoring the Spain international for some time now, with the Scot wanting to bring the former Arsenal captain to Old Trafford for next season.
United have so far made two official bids for the 26-year-old of £26 million, followed by a club-record offer of £30m, both of which were flatly rejected by Barca.
And the Premier League champions were believed to be preparing a third and final bid of £35m in order to persuade the Spanish giants to part company with their coveted playmaker, who has registered an eye-catching 29 goals and 32 assists in just 96 matches since re-joining Barcelona from Arsenal two summers ago.
United though have now been told in no uncertain terms that they are wasting their time trying to poach Fabregas and that no offer, however big, will persuade the Spaniards to sell their star man.
“It doesn’t matter what any offer from Manchester United is – we’re not selling him. We’re counting on him. He’s not for sale,” confirmed Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu at Friday’s unveiling of new Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino.
“If there was a higher offer would we accept it? No. He’s a great player. It doesn’t bother us that Manchester United want him. We’re proud that a club like that wants one of our players.”