Fabregas is compatible with Barcelona, says Iniesta

Pa
Friday 10 June 2011 11:11 EDT
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Cesc Fabregas is once again a target for Barcelona
Cesc Fabregas is once again a target for Barcelona (REUTERS)

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Andres Iniesta has dismissed suggestions Cesc Fabregas would not fit into Barcelona's midfield.

Arsenal captain Fabregas is again at the centre of speculation linking him with a move to the Nou Camp with reports in Spain this morning suggesting the Catalonian had agreed a deal with Barca, with the European champions now discussing a transfer fee with his current club.

Marca suggest Barca have offered 30 million euros plus striker Bojan Krkic and midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

While Iniesta would not comment on the latest round of stories, he rubbished claims Fabregas' game was too similar to his own, and that of Xavi.

He told radio station ONA FM: "The signing of Cesc is a matter for Arsenal and Barcelona and we (the players) cannot do anything about it.

"But Xavi, Cesc and I are not incompatible.

"If he comes he will improve the quality of the team."

Iniesta is also hopeful coach Pep Guardiola will remain at the club long-term.

Guardiola signed a contract in February which ties him to Barcelona until the end of next season but Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in last summer's World Cup final against Holland, is keen for him to stay well beyond that.

He added: "Coaching continuity is the key to guaranteed success.

"Guardiola is key to this team. He is essential.

"I hope next year will not be his last. We all feel that with him things become easier."

Thiago does not appear keen to be a makeweight in any deal to sign Fabregas and believes he will have a bigger role to play for the first team next season having started just six Primera Division games in the campaign just ended.

The 20-year-old told Barcelona newspaper Sport: "It's a compliment that clubs have asked about my situation but I'm from Barcelona, I want to be at the club and the club have told me that they are counting on me."

Another player keen to remain at the Nou Camp is left-sided defender Maxwell. The Brazilian had been linked with a move away after losing his first-team place to compatriot Adriano, but his agent Mino Raiola told ilsussidiario.net: "There is nothing to say about the future of Maxwell. He has a contract at Barcelona, he is happy there and will stay in Spain."

The 29-year-old had been linked with a move to AC Milan, who have also recruited Nigerian left-back Taye Taiwo from Marseille.

The other player reports suggest could go to Arsenal as part of the Fabregas deal, Bojan, could be set to follow Luis Enrique in moving from Barcelona to Roma instead of heading to London.

The 20-year-old Bojan has worked with new Roma coach Luis Enrique before in the Barcelona B team and the player's agent Zoran Vekic has described a link-up between the two as a "perfect marriage".

Vekic told Italian radio station Radio Mana Mana: "Luis Enrique and Bojan know each other, so it is clear that (Bojan) would like to go to Rome.

"We must wait and we must be prudent because it is the club (Barcelona) who will take the decision."

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