Barcelona deny making Fabregas offer

Barcelona corporate director general Joan Oliver has confirmed the club have been in contact with Arsenal regarding Cesc Fabregas but insists they have not yet made an offer for the Spain midfielder.

Having sealed the services of Valencia hitman David Villa in a 40million euro swoop last week, Barca's focus now appears to be set on bringing Fabregas back to the club where he learnt his trade as a youngster.

Barca have long been linked with the 23-year-old midfielder, who was at the Catalan outfit before moving to Arsenal seven years ago, and speculation has reached fever pitch in recent days, following an admission from Fabregas that he would like to return.

However, according to Oliver, the process of possibly bringing Fabregas to the Nou Camp is only at its initial stages.

"Still there is no offer. It's true that the player has shown his desire to play at Barca, possibly this season. We have made a first contact with Arsenal, letting them know our intention to talk and this is the current state of the situation," Oliver said on his club's website.

Oliver also insisted there was no deadline by which time Barca hoped to seal the signing of the Arsenal captain.

"There is no time-frame. The period is from today and until the deadline for registering players at the end of August," he added.

"We are in no rush and you never now how long these operations can last."

Cesc's father, Francesc Fabregas, was quoted as saying on Radio Marca: "The negotiations between Arsenal and Barcelona are going to be very long.

"Both parties are going to have to sit down several times because the matter is complicated.

"Cesc is now focused on the Spanish national team, but he wants the signing to be closed as soon as possible.

"I don't know how this is going to end up, but I think that we need to respect the decision and the will of the player.

"Cesc has always responded to Arsene Wenger with his work and we are also grateful to Arsenal because they have made our son a man. We only want this to end soon.

"At the moment he has a contract with Arsenal. I get the feeling the English club don't want to sell him but in end will allow Cesc to leave."