Fabregas tug of war - Barca and Real Madrid do battle for £40m Arsenal skipper Cesc

Real Madrid are ready to rival Barcelona with a move for Cesc Fabregas after being frustrated in the chase of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Madrid yesterday moved for Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi but were immediately knocked back by the Italians, leaving them to turn to third-choice Fabregas.

And Barcelona president Joan Laporta last night said the Arsenal midfielder should not be ruled out as an alternative to Franck Ribery, the Barcelona star who increasingly looks to be beyond their financial reach.
It is only a fortnight since Arsenal skipper Fabregas publicly declared: 'I am wholeheartedly committed to Arsenal and my future lies with this great club.'
But that has not deterred Laporta, who recently said Barca was in Fabregas's DNA, or, it seems, Madrid.

Bernabeu sporting director Jorge Valdano has refused to completely rule out a move for Liverpool midfielder Alonso, but admitted they were nowhere near agreement with Rafa Benitez's valuation of the player.

Liverpool want £40m for the 27-year-old, according to reports in Spain, leading Madrid to make a £26m move for Rossi, but the Italians immediately ruled out the sale of their 25-year-old talisman.
Third choice is Fabregas, though Madrid have yet to make a bid and are also looking at Villarreal's 24-year-old Spain international Santi Cazorla.

Barcelona would love to sign Fabregas, who left the club for Arsenal when he was 16. Laporta yesterday said he hoped to sign a striker, left winger and midfielder.

Pep Guardiola would most likely team Fabregas with Xavi in central midfield, using Andres Iniesta in a more advanced role wide on the left.

The European champions are working on a restricted budget and would are hoping to push through the sale of Samuel Eto'o to Manchester City in a bid to boost their spending power above £60m.

Arsenal, who don't have the biggest budget themselves, may demand £40m for Fabregas, but Madrid believe they could get him cheaper and, at 22, he is better value for money than Alonso.

Fabregas, on holiday in New York, is frustrated by Arsenal's four-year run without a major trophy but is thought to be happy to stay at the Emirates for at least another season to see if there is an upturn in fortunes.

He is said to have an agreement with Sandro Rosell, who hopes to unseat Laporta as president in Barcelona elections next summer.

Lionel Messi warns Arsenal and Liverpool he hopes Cesc and Mascherano will join him at Barcelona

Lionel Messi has warned all-conquering Barcelona they must not stand still - and has pinpointed Liverpool's Javier Mascherano and Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas as perfect recruits.

The Spanish giants may have achieved an unprecedented Spanish League, Cup and European treble last season, but the Argentina star believes they can still get stronger.

'We were spectacular last season and we hope that this term, we will be able to do the same, or at least repeat a little of what we achieved,' Messi told Catalan newspaper Sport.
'We were surprised by what we did last season but if players such as those who have been mentioned in the press arrive at the club to strengthen the team, it would be even better because it is important to be stronger.
'I hope Mascherano can come and we can form a solid partnership. His qualities are always appreciated. The same goes for Fabregas. A good footballer like him who can contribute a lot is always welcome.'

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and technical secretary Txiki Begeristain have discussed recuiting both midfielders, though will be able to afford just one this summer.

The Spaniards would prefer Mascherano and have already spoken to his agent Walter Tamer, but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is determined to hold on to both the Argentina star and Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso.
The 25-year-old is thought to be keen on a move but has told Barca he won't force the issue with Benitez because the Spaniards are stalling on where to concentrate a fairly limited budget.

Barca may be prepared to pay up to £30m for Mascherano but are also desperate to add a new attacking option.

Like Chelsea and Real Madrid, they are ready to to have one final go at signing Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich, though their second option is to renew a bid for Fabregas.

Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin and Manchester City forward Robinho have both been mentioned as alternatives, as has Valencia players Juan Mata and David Silva, but Fabregas has plenty of support within the Nou Camp and is largely seen as someone who will rejoin them sooner or later.
Arsenal have consistently insisted their skipper is not for sale and the 22-year-old recently said he was 'whole-heartedly committed' to the Gunners, but that hasn't stopped reports that Barca are willing to pay £35m for him.

In that case, Fabregas would be paired with Xavi in central midfielder, with Andres Iniesta played in an advanced role on the left wing, which he has performed before.

The future of Manchester City target Samuel Eto'o is still uncertain, but goalkeeper Victor Valdes -linked to Manchester United - and midfielder Yaya Toure have agreed new contracts.

Bringing in players has been more difficult, though Messi insists they should not concern themselves with the spending spree at Real Madrid that has seen Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol go to the Bernabeu.
'I am with Barcelona and I worry only about my team,' said Messi. 'Kaka has a lot of quality, but he will have to adapt himself. I can also talk about Iniesta. Training with him is the best.

'But both Cristiano and Kaka are fantastic players who will give Madrid a lot of strength. "El Clasico" is going to be unbelievable when it comes time to play, and yes - Barcelona will win again.'