Fabregas in fresh transfer link to Barcelona

(GETTY IMAGES)

Rumours of Cesc Fabregas' departure from Arsenal refuse to go away following a report in Spain today.

Catalan newspaper Sport declared that the 22-year-old Arsenal captain will be Barcelona's star signing next summer, and that Arsene Wenger has already accepted the fact.

The Spanish midfielder has long been linked with a return to the Nou Camp, which he left as a sixteen-year-old for London. Arsenal and Fabregas have repeatedly denied the rumours and just this weekend Fabregas made a show of his commitment to the Gunners by kissing the badge after his goal in the 6-2 mauling of Blackburn.

Yet the report in Spain suggests that Barcelona are increasingly confident a deal will be struck next summer. It is suggested that outgoing president Joan Laporta wants to finalise a deal for the Spain international before his departure so that re-signing the midfielder does not become an election issue when a new president is sought.