Barca boss knocks down Fabregas' transfer price
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Shanghai Daily, June 17, 2011
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell said yesterday that Arsenal can expect a bid of less than 40 million euros (US$56.55 million) if the Catalan club decides to pursue Cesc Fabregas.
Barcelona tried to bring back its former youth player during the offseason last year, but Arsenal refused to sell.
"If last summer we offered 40 million euros for Cesc, and since then there has been wear and tear, now he's worth less," Rosell said. "In the case that we were interested, our offer would be reasonable. We would not go overboard."
Spain midfielder Fabregas said on Wednesday he has left any decision on his future to Arsenal, while adding that "Barca is the best team in the world and going there guarantees titles."
The Catalans have also been linked with Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi and Udinese's Alexis Sanchez.
Barcelona had previously announced it had a transfer budget of about 45 million euros. Rosell said, if necessary, this could be increased by using funds allocated for the 2012 summer transfer market.
In England, meanwhile, former internationals Jonathan Woodgate, Patrick Vieira and Owen Hargreaves were among those released by their clubs, the Premier League said yesterday when it revealed a list of players given free transfers.
The departures of Manchester United's Hargreaves and Tottenham Hotspur's Woodgate were both widely expected after injuries blighted the English duo's spells with their clubs. French World Cup winner Vieira, who turns 35 next week, was released by Manchester City after playing a bit-part role in its resurgence since joining from Inter Milan in January last year.
Other high-profile players now without a club are England defender Matthew Upson, released by West Ham United, and the Fulham duo of Hungary captain Zoltan Gera and Ghana fullback John Pantsil.
