Cesc Fabregas Is Staying at Barcelona, Says New Manager Gerardo Martino

Barcelona presented new manager Gerardo Martino to the media today to replace Tito Vilanova, and one of the first things the new Barca coach did was to set the record straight regarding Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Martino said:

“I’m not going to involve myself in the club’s accounts, but considering the club has already rejected two offers, I would guess it will reject a third. In other words, Fábregas will remain here.”

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu backed up Martino by adding:

“Whatever offer United make, however big, we will say no. Cesc Fábregas will stay a Barcelona player. That United shows interest in Cesc Fábregas is normal. He is a truly great player. It doesn’t annoy us.

“It gives us pride to have such a good player in our team that United want him because they are a great club. But whatever offer arrives from them we are not going to sell Cesc Fábregas. We are counting on him.

“I think Tata Martino was clear that he is counting on him as a player and Andoni Zubizaretta from the first day when we asked him about it saying there was an offer he replied Cesc is not for sale. We are very happy with him.”

With new manager Tata Martino in charge at Barcelona, it appears even more unlikely that Fabregas will be moving to Manchester United. Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodward may want to change tactics and try pursuing a different midfielder instead.