AC Milan admit defeat in Cesc Fabregas transfer race

Fabregas appears bound for Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

AC Milan have ruled themselves out of the race to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, with the Spain international set to join Barcelona instead.

The Italian champions had expressed an interest in acquiring the 24-year-old's services this summer, but reports in Spain claim that Barca are close to securing the midfielder's signature after increasing their initial offer to £35million.

"Fabregas will not join us because he will join a different club," AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani told the club's official website, www.acmilan.com.