Barcelona chiefs convinced of Cesc agreement today with Arsenal

11.08.11 | tribalfootball.com

Barcelona are convinced they will have an agreement withArsenal today over Cesc Fabregas.

The Daily Mail says Barcelona are certain they have finally succeeded in their long pursuit of Fabregas with a package worth around £31million.

Arsenal were still waiting to receive any such bid but the clamour from reliable Catalan sources suggested a verbal agreement was very close.

The latest Barcelona bid for Fabregas is thought to be a £25.5m transfer fee plus £5.25m of add-ons, depending on the Arsenal captain’s success at the Nou Camp.

Fabregas has agreed to forgo £4.4m he is owed by Arsenal as a loyalty payment, which had been a sticking point in this summer’s negotiations.

Barcelona have included this sum in the transfer package, claiming it takes the total beyond the £35m asking price, but Arsenal see this as a payment saved, rather than part of the fee paid.

The clubs are deep in talks about the details, such as how much is to be paid up front. The Gunners want the £25.5m now but Barca are offering £18m with the rest to follow next year.

Arsenal appear to have accepted that Barcelona cannot greatly increase their bid by the end of the month, and that Fabregas is set on returning to the club he left eight years ago.