Bid to sign Fabregas is 'almost over'

Published Jul. 19, 2010 7:41 a.m. EDT

foxsports

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says club president Sandro Rosell has given him the impression that the bid to sign Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal ''was very difficult, almost over and that there was no negotiation.''

However, Guardiola says he is ''neither optimistic nor pessimistic'' about signing Fabregas, despite claiming many English clubs plus Real Madrid are interested in the player.

Guardiola added Monday that ''he is a much wanted player.''

Arsenal turned down a formal offer from Barcelona for Fabregas on June 2.

Fabregas has said the only team he would leave Arsenal for is Barcelona, where he played as a teenager in the youth team.