Catalan giants quietly confident they can arrange a winter deal

The transfer window may have only just slammed shut, but the Spanish press are wasting no time in speculating about the next one.

Barcelona have barely disguised their intention to lure Cesc Fabregas back to his Catalan homeland, and club owner Joan Laporta recently apologised to Arsene Wenger for his aggressive pursuit of their former youth player: “Sorry to bother you, but Cesc is a special case us.” Well, if he’s special, then it is obviously permissible to tap him up.

Most media outlets - The Spoiler included - have made the relatively safe assumption that the Spaniard will make the move next summer, but the folks at Sport are suggesting that the transfer could occur in the January transfer window.

Barcelona technical director Txiki Begiristain has not ruled out making additions to the squad in the January window, and Cesc’s departure will depend largely on Arsenal’s form at that point. Sport say that Barca’s chances will be greatly improved if the Gunners fail to make the Champions League group stages (something that will be known by early December) or if they have fallen behind in the Premier League title race. With the easiest Champions League group of all the English clubs, however, there’s probably more chance of Cristiano Ronaldo declaring a vow of celibacy than Arsenal failing to progress, so poor domestic form will be a more likely catalyst for a transfer.

Frankly, we not convinced by the assertions of the Spanish newspaper, but Arsenal should certainly have a contingency if their beloved captain plots an escape in January.