Is Cesc Fàbregas really going to leave Barcelona?

Let's get some context here, everyone knows Fàbregas left La Masia for Arsenal as youngster before returning in the summer of 2011 for £30 million. The number four hit the ground running as Guardiola allowed the attacking midfielder to ignore his defensive duties as he became familiar with the Barça game.

Fàbregas played in a total of 48 games in his first season for the Barcelona first team, scoring 15 goals in the process and many critics claimed Fàbregas didn't have a natural position in the first team. The midfield slots are regularly filled by Iniesta and Xavi with Busquets just behind, while Fàbregas' more natural position would be behind the number nine.

Euro 2012 was a great benefit as it showed the Barcelona coaches his ability to play in the false 10 position, allowing him to be a back-up for Messi if the Argentine was ever unable to play.

In the 2012/13 season, Fàbregas played more games for the team and ended the season with 41 starts and 7 substitute appearances. This time the La Masia trained midfielder played a variety of position for the club. Mostly appearing alongside Xavi with Iniesta on the left wing and towards the end of the season playing as the striker while Messi was injured. The highlight of his season coming against Mallorca when he scored his first hat-trick of his professional career.

For a player who can fill so many roles and has made over 40 appearances, it seems crazy that there be any rumours suggesting he may leave the club. Many English sides such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly interested in acquiring the Spanish international's signature. Coupled with Barcelona being Cesc's boyhood club it seems that even Arsenal, a club still very much in Fàbregas' heart, would find it near impossible to tempt the player away from the Camp Nou.

With David Villa's future still in question it seems absurd that Barcelona would even consider letting Cesc go. Longterm, it still seems Fàbregas along with Thiago is the natural heir to Xavi's place in the side and unlike Villa and Victor Váldes, Fàbregas has already experienced football abroad. Also with the arrival of Neymar and potentially many other players it seems keeping a core of La Masia graduates is the most important aspect for Barça.

For me, I don't see any reason why either Barcelona or Cesc would want a transfer. If this season has shown anything, it's that Messi can't always be there so a player with the experience and versatility of Fàbregas seems far too valuable for Barcelona to let slip away.