Barcelona approached formally the 22 year-old midfielder Cesc Fabregas, last night, to sign him from Arsenal but the English club has no intention of selling him!

Barcelona announced on Wednesday they had made a formal approach for the midfielder, 22, who has indicated an interest in moving to the Nou Camp.

But a statement on the Arsenal website on Wednesday read: "Yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas.

"In response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again we have no intention of selling our captain."

The Arsenal statement added: "To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion.

"Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word."

Barcelona initially revealed they had made an approach for Fabregas via their Twitter feed on Wednesday morning.

The Spanish giants subsequently told BBC Sport that talks with Arsenal over a deal for the midfielder, who is with Spain's World Cup squad, "became formal" on Tuesday.
 

"An informal conversation with Arsenal became formal on 1 June and now an official approach has been made to the club," said a Barca spokesman.

"Before 1 June, under English rules, we could not make an official approach to Arsenal for Fabregas, but that changed on Tuesday.

"I don't think there is a special advance on, say, the price or anything, but it has moved on now."

Barcelona have made it clear they regard Fabregas, 22, who played in the youth team at the Nou Camp before moving to north London seven years ago, as one of their chief transfer targets this summer.

Fabregas signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006 and has been quoted as saying he would only join Barcelona if he left the Emirates.