Messi expects Fabregas to join Barcelona

Fabregas and Messi played together for the Barcelona youth team (GETTY IMAGES)

Lionel Messi expects former Barcelona youth team colleague Cesc Fabregas to rejoin him at the Nou Camp because the Arsenal skipper has the club "in his blood".

Speculation continues to link Barca with a bid for their former trainee this summer and world player of the year Messi believes his old friend is destined to return to Catalonia.

"Cesc has a place for Arsenal in his heart, but he has Barcelona in his blood," Messi told the Daily Express.

"He will want to win win the biggest prizes in football, and I expect him to do that at Barcelona.

"I don't exactly know when that will be, but I expect him to be my Barcelona team-mate again at some point."

Messi poured water on English hopes of him one day playing on these shores, however.

"Will I play in the Premier League one day? I have said that I want to be at Barcelona for life," he said.

"I will be here for as long as they want me. I owe Barcelona more than for giving me a chance - I owe them for changing my life."