:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/796104/GYI0060725235.jpg)
According to latest reports from El Mundo Deportivo, Cesc Fabregas has apparently signed a pre-contract agreement with Sandro Rosell. The newspaper claims that the Arsenal captain will sign a contract until 2016, coinciding with the culmination of Rosell’s first (and hopefully last) term as Barca president. While Arsenal are reluctant to even entertain the idea of a Fabregas transfer, much less to FC Barcelona.
It is believed that a 50 million Euro fee should be enough to smooth the ruffled feelings of Arsene Wenger & Co. It sounds to be good to be true. Even from an economic point of view – it just sounds too good to be true. 50 million Euro for one of the finest midfielders around? His first season shirt sales alone would cover his entire transfer fee. Cesc being a Nike mascott would be promoted and advertised around the globe, if he isn’t already.
Now, by all accounts I do not believe that a Cesc transfer will happen anytime soon. He fits the Barca philosophy perfectly but so do Thiago Alcantara & Jonathan dos Santos. The latter was on the periphery of first team football at the start of the season but has gone missing since. Thiago Alcantara’s case is even more delicate. The boy has the skills but has yet to convince Pep to promote him into the first team permanently.
Although I’ll never be Sandro Rosell’s biggest fan I do concede that if anyone can bring Cesc back to Catalunya, it’s him. His ties to American sports apparel giant Nike should come in quite handy in this operation. After all, Barca have been missing a Nike cash cow ever since Ronaldinho left for AC Milan. It could be argued that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in part, brought to FC Barcelona to fill that void.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Nike commercial |2010|
Out of the current crop of Barca/Nike players only Gerard Pique fits the bill of global superstar, but he’s a defender. San Andres is almost unmarketable while Carles Puyol is entering the twilight of his career. Again, promote Thiago at least he is wearing NIKE! ;)
In the end, only Cesc and Rosell know if there is any truth to the rumors. We’ll see what happens on June, 1st.