Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas' move to European champion Barcelona neared completion Friday, bringing to an end one of soccer's longest-running transfer sagas.

The Spanish midfielder was heading to Barcelona for a medical Friday before being unveiled Saturday as a player back at his boyhood club. Sky Sports soccer expert Guillem Balague first reported that the deal was "done."

According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal claims a deal has yet to be finalized.

Fabregas, 24, was expected to travel to Madrid with his new teammates ahead of the first leg of the Spanish Supercup against rival Real Madrid on Sunday.

Arsenal will receive £29.8 million ($48.5 million) in the sale and a possible further £5.2 million if Barcelona wins two La Liga titles and the Champions League during Fabregas' time at the Nou Camp, The (London) Times reported.

The deal came after the English Premier League (EPL) club refused three bids in the region of £30 million this summer.

Spain teammates Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol both tweeted their delight that Fabregas was joining them at club level. Pique celebrated the move, saying, "He's finally here!!"

Fabregas was developed by Barcelona before leaving in 2003, at the age of 16, to sign for Arsenal, where he emerged under Arsene Wenger's tutelage as one of the world's biggest midfield talents.

The playmaker was known to have desired a return to the Catalan club for the past few seasons, only to see the teams fail to agree terms on a deal, while he refused to put in a transfer request.

Wenger earlier confirmed that Fabregas would not be included in the squad for Saturday's opening EPL game at Newcastle United, though he refused to speculate on transfer talk.

French midfielder Samir Nasri, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Manchester City, will also miss the trip to St. James' Park.

Read more: http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/cesc-fabregas-bracelona-transfer-done-arsenal-completed-signging-30-million-081211#ixzz1UkmPwK4Q


http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2011/08/12/report-fabregass-barca-move-done/

As an arsenal fan, i think we will be alright!!! too bad tho!
we still have wilshere, nasri, song!
we will be aiiite!

Take Nasri out

He is as good as gone

POOR OFFICIATING:how could he have red carded Ozil despite being slapped off the field,the officiating is malicious.good el classico,brilliant MESSI,nice debut for fabregas,nice defending by cavalho,gud goal keeping by casillas,gud play from ALVES(but should be cautioned for frequent diving),calm MOURINHO,hostile fans,marvelous mascerano.Great football,no dulling atmosphere.
UEFA watch out:MADRID is killing the game(being too physical),BARCA is spoiling the game(too emotional and frequent dives)