Messi confident over Cesc swoop

Messi confident over Cesc swoop

Published Aug. 1, 2010 4:24 p.m. ET

Barcelona winger Lionel Messi is confident Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will complete his return to the Nou Camp.

Arsenal, who rejected a £30million bid from the Catalan giants at the beginning of the summer, have remained firm in their stance that Fabregas is not for sale.

Fabregas has made no secret of the fact he would love a return to Barca, where he started his career as a youth-team player before moving to the Gunners in 2003, and admitted on Friday that he is torn between the two clubs.

Barca players, many of who progressed through the famous La Masia academy with Fabregas, have long pleaded with him to come back, and Messi has reiterated their desire.

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"It is no secret that Cesc is my friend. The whole world knows that and I would love him to sign for Barca," the Argentina international told Spanish television station Cuatro.

"I hope that the matter can be resolved soon and I'm confident that in the end it will be resolved in the way that Cesc can be a Barcelona player."

Fabregas still has five years remaining on his Gunners contract, and last night manager Arsene Wenger called on the Spain star to make up his mind where his future lies.

The 23-year-old is set to link up with Arsenal after this weekend's Emirates Cup, following his extended break after winning the World Cup with La Roja.

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