Arsenal will let Cesc Fabregas join Barcelona for right price

ARSENAL would be willing to sell captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona if they can agree a fee, according to a report last night.

The 24-year-old World Cup winner has been linked with a move back to his boyhood club in almost every transfer window.

Last summer, the London side rejected a 30 million offer for their inspirational skipper.

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However, with Fabregas appearing more determined to rejoin the club he left as a teenager in 2003, Arsenal are said to be ready to allow the deal to go through, if Barcelona improve their 27 million bid.

BBC Sport quoted a senior Arsenal official as saying: "The offer was made formally in writing to our chief executive (Ivan Gazidis), and we said no straight away."

When asked if the club expected an improved offer this week, the source added: "Possibly yes, and if it's enough then I expect we'll have to sell."

Last week, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell claimed that this time round the European champions would not break the bank for Fabregas, of whom he said: "It is clear that this year his value is less."

During the 2010 summer transfer window, Arsenal released a statement confirming their captain was not for sale. However, so far, there has been no official comment from Arsenal following renewed speculation over Fabregas' future.

It also emerged yesterday that Arsenal have yet to make a formal offer for Ivory Coast forward Gervinho.

The 24-year-old has made no secret London would be his preferred destination were the French club ready to sell.

However, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is said to be keen to bolster his squad during what has so far been a quiet summer in terms of signings, suggestions a 10 million deal is about to be completed would appear somewhat premature.

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Lille president Michel Seydoux said: "We know that Gervinho is keen on Arsenal. For the moment, there has been simple contact, but we have not received a concrete offer yet."

Arsenal have also been linked with Lille's Belgian youngster Eden Hazard, but Seydoux maintained the 20-year-old would remain at their club.

Meanwhile, former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who briefly came out of retirement earlier this year to help out his old club Arsenal, will not be re-signing for Schalke 04 after all.

"We have informed Jens's manager that we want to distance ourselves from any deal," said Schalke sports director Horst Heldt.