Laporta says Fabregas is their next target if they don't get Ribery

[Boab 73]

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed the club will target Cesc Fabregas should they fail to land Franck Ribery.

Bayern Munich have remained adamant amid speculation that they will not be parting company with France international Ribery.

A number of sides have been linked with the playmaker, with Liverpool the latest to be mooted as suitors, but Bayern would be loath to lose their star.

Meanwhile, it has regularly been suggested Arsenal captain Fabregas could seek a move back to his homeland in Spain, with Real Madrid known suitors.

But the gifted midfielder has consistently denied the rumours, stressing his commitment to the Gunners.

Price

Laporta confirmed European champions Barca are in the market to strengthen and outlined his main targets.

He said on Spanish television: "Ribery was a player we were interested in at a logical price but Bayern don't want to sell.

"If they are interested in selling, we are interested in buying but if not, then we will look to Fabregas.

"Compared to him there is no available alternative left in the market, so we will see what happens.

"But after last season we only need small adjustments - a left-back, a central defender, a midfielder and a forward."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5423628,00.html

[OmarLittle 2]

Going for Fabregas would be a mistake - Xavi and Iniesta are the best central midfield pairing in the world by a considerable margin and they need a player like Yaya Toure (or Senna with Spain) beside them to give a bit of muscle. Adding Fabregas to the mix would upset the balance.

[sdunsmb 43]

Going for Fabregas would be a mistake - Xavi and Iniesta are the best central midfield pairing in the world by a considerable margin and they need a player like Yaya Toure (or Senna with Spain) beside them to give a bit of muscle. Adding Fabregas to the mix would upset the balance.

Take into squad rotation of the modern game and injuries/suspensions, I think Fabregas would be the perfect player in the world to bolster Barcelonas midfield.

He's very versatile, can play attacking or defensive and has all the attributes to fit in to todays Barca team.

Most of the time, he could probably find a role somewhere in their first 11 along with Xavi and Iniesta, or if one of the pair were to get a ong-term injury, he would be the ideal player to fill the role.

And probably most importantly, despite the fact he has playing regularly for Arsenal for about 5 years, he's only 22, so would probably be looking at spending 10+ years at the club and maybe a long-term replacement for Xavi.

[plymouthranger 3,664]

Am i the only person who thinks Fabregas has been grossly overhyped?

He was a phenomenal player when he first signed for Arsenal. The last 2/3 seasons hes been largely anonymous, not worth mentioning in the same breath as the likes of Gerrard and Lampard (and this comes from an avid anti-scouse man).

Part of Arsenal's demise has been they've never replaced Viera

[Amac9 2,060]

IMO Fabreags won't get a lot of game time at Barcelona. Unless they are lining him up as a long term replacement for Xavi.

Xavi---Toure---Iniesta is the favoured and strongest midfield for Barca. Add Fabregas to that and you won't have the protection of Yaya Toure as he would be the one likely to drop out.

Or they could be going something like this;

Xavi---Toure---Fabregas

Messi---Henry---Iniesta

[keithgersbear 3,225]

Am i the only person who thinks Fabregas has been grossly overhyped?

He was a phenomenal player when he first signed for Arsenal. The last 2/3 seasons hes been largely anonymous, not worth mentioning in the same breath as the likes of Gerrard and Lampard (and this comes from an avid anti-scouse man).

Part of Arsenal's demise has been they've never replaced Viera

Well being a gooner and a Gers fan, i would have to disagree regarding the Hype comment but agree with your Vieira comment.

He ain't over hyped for me, he was just average last season but Arsenal were average last season in general, no real 1 consistent player from start to finish. He was superb in 2007-2008, fell away in that season after the new year but he was still excellent. Was great in 2006-2007 as well. His passing was great all round, set up many goals. Just need to see his assist tally.

I think he will play for Barcelona in the next 2 years and fit in that midfield easily.

[Boab 73]

Am i the only person who thinks Fabregas has been grossly overhyped?

He was a phenomenal player when he first signed for Arsenal. The last 2/3 seasons hes been largely anonymous, not worth mentioning in the same breath as the likes of Gerrard and Lampard (and this comes from an avid anti-scouse man).

Part of Arsenal's demise has been they've never replaced Viera

He was brilliant in the first half of last season.

[WilliamFyfe 1,438]

Id like to see Fabregas at Barca

[plymouthranger 3,664]

I can see Busquets becoming an equal standard player. He may be a slightly later developer, but he looked superb since Decemeber, in La Liga and the CL.

[sdunsmb 43]

Am i the only person who thinks Fabregas has been grossly overhyped?

He was a phenomenal player when he first signed for Arsenal. The last 2/3 seasons hes been largely anonymous, not worth mentioning in the same breath as the likes of Gerrard and Lampard (and this comes from an avid anti-scouse man).

Part of Arsenal's demise has been they've never replaced Viera

It's more a case of he started so well at a young age. Last season he was injury prone and that ruined a lot of his form.

I think the fact that Arsenal haven't been very good last few years hasn't helped, but he really is such a talanted player. His passing and vision is a unique talent IMO, and he looked better when Arsenal had Flamini to partner him and Henry to feed. But I think he will become an exceptional player in the next few years, whoever he plays for.

In terms of Gerrad and Lampard, he has been over shadowed by them a bit in the last few seasons, but he's also a different type of player.

But you have to look at it like this. At 30 and 31, Gerrard and Lampard have hit their peak from in recent seasons. Fabregas is 22!!!!