Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reignited speculation over a move for Cesc Fàbregas by admitting his club "love" the Arsenal captain.
The Spaniard has been linked with a return to his former club throughout the summer, to the public irritation of Arsène Wenger.
And the Gunners boss will doubtless be furious at the remarks made by Barça chief Laporta this weekend.
Laporta said: "I apologise if I bothered Mr Wenger because I respect him very highly and the job he is doing but the case of Cesc Fàbregas he knows perfectly is special.
"He is a Catalan player from our youth team and is it no secret that we love this player.
"He came through our youth team with seven players who played in the Champions League final - Víctor Valdés, Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Sergi Busquets, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
"The way we express our Catalan identity, that we are more than just a club, it is quite different to the ways other clubs operate.
"I prefer this way because I developed it in the seven years that I have been president."
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The Spaniard has been linked with a return to his former club throughout the summer, to the public irritation of Arsène Wenger.
And the Gunners boss will doubtless be furious at the remarks made by Barça chief Laporta this weekend.
Laporta said: "I apologise if I bothered Mr Wenger because I respect him very highly and the job he is doing but the case of Cesc Fàbregas he knows perfectly is special.
"He is a Catalan player from our youth team and is it no secret that we love this player.
"He came through our youth team with seven players who played in the Champions League final - Víctor Valdés, Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Sergi Busquets, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
"The way we express our Catalan identity, that we are more than just a club, it is quite different to the ways other clubs operate.
"I prefer this way because I developed it in the seven years that I have been president."
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Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
- Adebayor: My Cesc fear
- Guardiola: Cesc won't come this summer
- Arsène Wenger: Cesc Fàbregas not for sale
- Cesc Fábregas will stay at Arsenal, says his father
- Barcelona could bid for Cesc Fábregas if the price is right
- Thierry Henry: Cesc must stay!
- Joan Laporta: Cesc Fàbregas has Barcelona DNA
- Piqué: Cesc will end up wearing Barcelona shirt
