Arsenal sources insist any final deal is still “days rather than hours away” but privately admit Fabregas’s exit is imminent.
Fabregas trained with his Arsenal team-mates for what appears to be the final time on Friday morning.
It is believed Arsenal will receive a guaranteed $45m with a further $8m dependent on the number of games played and trophies won by the 24-year-old during his time at the Nou Camp.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Carlos Tevez could stay at the club beyond the transfer window – because nobody else wants him.
The want-away striker was thought to be interesting Inter Milan but, with time ticking away, nobody has made contact with the Blues.
“It is two weeks until the end of the market,” said Mancini.
“I don’t know if he will stay but, at the moment, there isn’t a team who want to take him.”
The Argentina international wants to leave Eastlands and a transfer to former club Corinthians fell through at the last minute in July.
City want around $65m for the 27-year-old and, with his wage demands, there are few clubs in the world who could finance a move.
Owen Hargreaves will be given a Premier League lifeline by West Brom after a three-year injury nightmare which led to him being released by Manchester United in July.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is ready to play again after a long-term illness.
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has told Rangers they can still have central defender Carlos Cuellar for £2m if they want him.
Joey Barton is also wanted by Zenit St Petersburg, with the Russian side ready to make the midfielder – who has been told he can leave Newcastle United on a free transfer, despite having a year remaining on his contract – a lucrative offer.
Stoke City are closing in on Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton and Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s ambitious Championship side Leicester want to buy Tottenham striker Robbie Keane for $5m.
Tottenham have stepped up their interest in Blackburn defender Chris Samba and are ready to offer cash plus defender Sebastien Bassong as part of the deal. Spurs will move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian, if they lose Luka Modric to Chelsea.
Aston Villa have joined the race to sign French striker David Trezeguet. The former Juventus forward is a free agent after leaving Hercules.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 13 August 2011
West Brom v Man Utd, 23:00 WA, Monday, 15 August 2011 00:00 AET
Man City v Swansea, 03:00 WA, 05:00 AET
by Terence Johns
