Transfer talk: Arsenal 'could trigger clause' to bring back former captain Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona

Gunners are thought to have a first-option clause for the midfielder should they meet the £25m valuation

Cesc Fabregas (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal could be about to trigger a buy-back clause in Cesc Fabregas’ contract that would see them have first-option on bringing their former captain back to the Emirates, according to reports.

Arsenal sold Fabregas to Barcelona in 2011 after a long-winded pursuit of the Catalan youngster, but it is believed that a £25 million clause in his contract will see Arsene Wenger have first refusal on the midfielder.

Fabregas suffered a frustrating season last year, and while he is currently on his holidays following his participation in the Confederations Cup with Spain, he is thought to be considering his future in Tito Vilanova’s side as his role remains unclear.

Publicly, Fabregas has always maintained his loyalty to his current club – something that endeared him to Arsenal fans during his time with the club – but that loyalty will be tested should Arsenal put in an offer for him.

Arsenal are also believed to be preparing a second offer for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, having seen an initial £30m bid turned down according to reports.

A fresh bid would come after the transfer of Gonzalo Higuain appeared to hit the rocks, having originally been thought to be completed last weekend. Since, Real Madrid have claimed that Arsenal have not yet met their valuation of Higuain, and the move towards Suarez could be a sign that the deal has fallen through.

Either way, it is clear that Wenger is determined to improve his squad to get back into the challenge for the Premier League, and with news of Thomas Vermaelen’s injury that is likely to rule him out of the beginning of the season, a move for Swansea’s Ashley Williams could be forced through, although the Capital One Cup winners £10m valuation of the centre-back remains a stumbling block.