Barca make categoric Cesc denial

Barcelona "flatly deny" they have reached an agreement with Cesc Fabregas which would see him return to the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

Reports in Spain suggest Fabregas, who has always said he would love to play for Barca, has come to a verbal agreement with the Catalan giants and will sign a five-year contract in the summer.

However, Barca have released a statement rubbishing the reports.

It read: "Given the exceptional repercussions created by the stories that have appeared in different media with respect to an agreement with Arsenal FC player Cesc Fabregas, Barca flatly deny that there have been any negotiations or agreements with the player.

"In accordance with FIFA regulations, FC Barcelona's contract policy has always made it a priority to negotiate with the club of origin before making any particular agreement with the player.

"FC Barcelona wishes to stress that it has always maintained excellent institutional relations with Arsenal FC."

Fabregas has long been linked with a move back to Barca, where he spent six years as a youth-team player before joining Arsenal in 2003. The 22-year-old is enjoying his best campaign yet and has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season.

Meanwhile Gunners boss Arsene Wenger says he is not concerned by the speculation surrounding Fabregas.

"There is no concern at all," he said. "What is more of a concern is that we try everything to win something.

"He is committed when he plays, what's the future? We don't know what will happen in six months, in two years, in five years."