Immediately after taking over as the replacement of Tito Vilanova, new coach Tata Martino has had to respond to a barrage of questions about the future of midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard has been linked to heavily with a move to Manchester United, who have offered £ 35 million for his services. Fabregas was signed for around the same money from Arsenal in 2011. He was viewed as the long-term successor to Xavi, but it is thought that the 26-year-old is not happy at the importance given to him within the club.
He was signed by Guardiola, but Vilanova did not use him in his best position – midfield. Instead, Fabregas was allowed to roam freely around the pitch and this did not bring about one of the best seasons from the Spaniard. Even with all the talk surrounding Manchester United’s interest in the player, and Barcelona have been consistently stating that Fabregas will remain a Barcelona player after the end of the transfer window. Martino has also revealed that the player remains integral to his plans. The Argentine manager was speaking during the pre-season tour of Asia. The club recently defeated Brazilian outfit Santos 8-0 in a friendly match.
There has been talk that Barcelona have got their old intensity back under Martino.
“The idea of not counting on him doesn’t enter my mind, but the player also has to decide. I dare to say that he will stay. The idea of not counting on him doesn’t enter my mind, but the player also has to decide. I dare to say that he will stay,” said the manager. Players like Javier Mascherano are also confident that Fabregas would stay at the Camp Nou. “I didn’t talk to him but I think he is happy. It is difficult when you have to speak about the personal situation of other players because sometimes you don’t know what they think,” said Mascherano.