PREMIER TRANSFERS NEWS - BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE - BBC NEWS - ARSENAL PLAYER - ARSENAL TRANSFER UPDATE - CESC FABREGAS - THIAGO ALCANTARA
Barcelona have offered 20-year-old midfield wonderkid Thiago Alcantara to Arsenal in the hope of persuading Arsene Wenger to part with captain Cesc Fabregas in a deal worth £50 million
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| Cesc Fabregas 2011 |
The youngster, son of former Brazil and Barcelona player Mazinho, is regarded as one of the most gifted prospects to come through the Catalans' illustrious youth academy in recent years, and has shone in Spain's youth ranks at both the Under-21 European Championships and the Under-20 World Cup.
But Thiago has found it difficult competing with the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta for first team opportunities with the Spanish giants this term, and manager Pep Guardiola is now thought to be willing to let him leave if he can tempt Fabregas back to Camp Nou.
Arsenal boss Wenger remains determined to keep hold of his captain despite Barcelona's long-standing interest in the 24-year-old as he looks to finally end the Gunners' six-year long trophy drought next season.
The problem of replacing Fabregas means the Frenchman is understood to be reluctant to let his playmaker leave the Emirates Stadium even if the La Liga champions meet his £40m asking price, but the additional offer of a promising talent such as Thiago could yet persuade him to sell.
Reports in Spain had earlier suggested that Wenger met the Catalan youngster for talks while Barcelona were in London for the Champions League final last month as both parties weigh up the deal.
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