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Manchester United give up Cesc Fabregas pursuit

By on August 4, 2013

20130804-204405.jpgManchester United have given up their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas after reportedly lodging a third bid for the midfielder, according to Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. Zubizarreta, who has stood by Barcelona’s adamant claims that Fabregas is not for sale, claims that United realized that and have moved on to chasing a different target.

United manager David Moyes’ had both £25 and £30 million bids for Fabregas rejected, and was reported to have a third bid of £40m turned down by the Spanish giants. Still, United were prepared to further raise their offer, but Zubizarreta squashed any chances of the English champions, who made no secret of their interest in Fabregas, making another bid.

“Manchester United are interested in the player, but it’s also true that they understand our position of not wanting to sell,” Zubizarreta told Spanish magazine Sport. “They have renounced his signing.

“We aren’t going to sell him.”

Zubizarreta, speaking at Barca’s preseason tour in Israel, also told the club’s official website that the La Liga winning side counted on Fabregas: “He has a contract with us. We count on Cesc.

“I said that on the day of the presentation of Tito (Vilanova) and also with Tata (new coach Martino): He’s an extraordinary player who creates and finishes chances. We are delighted with him. He’s the No. 4 of Barca.”

Fabregas, who moved to the Nou Camp from Arsenal for 29 million in 2011, wanted to move away from Barca due to his limited playing time. Having played back-up to Andreas Iniesta and Xavi in his first two seasons with Gerardo Martino’s side, Fabregas was obviously not a central part of former manager Tito Vilanova’s long-term plans. But, with Thiago Alcantara departing for Bayern Munich and Xavi heading towards the age 35, the 26-year-old has a good chance of breaking into Martino’s starting line-up this coming season.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.