Barcelona Says Arsenal was Right in Keeping Fabregas

Image via Wikipedia

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has stated Arsenal were right to dig their heels in this summer in order to retain the services of their captain Cesc Fabregas.

In what proved to be the longest running transfer saga of the close season, Barca were knocked back by the north London club on two separate occasions in their attempts to lure Fabregas back to the Nou Camp.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger always maintained their dynamic midfielder was not for sale, and despite reported bids of up to £30 million from the Spanish giants, Wenger remained true to his word and resisted Barca’s approaches.

Fabregas has since resumed pre-season training with the Premier League club, who he joined aged 16-years-old, and Guardiola says he bears no grudges to Wenger despite failing to land his first-choice transfer target.

"I understand Arsenal and I understand [Arsene] Wenger, I wouldn't have let him [Cesc Fabregas] leave either," he told reporters after Barcelona's  3-0 win over Beijing Guoan on Sunday.

"I just hope Cesc carries on enjoying what is such a special and competitive league, the Premier."

Despite the failure to land Fabregas, Guardiola remains confident about the forthcoming La Liga campaign as Barca look to defend their title from Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

“The market is open until the end of the month and we will look to see what we can find, but there's no hurry," he added.

"We have a great squad to compete in all competitions and that is our objective once more."
Goal.com