The summer of Cesc Fabregas is turning into a very interesting one. While the Spanish midfielder would like to stay with Barcelona, the interest from both Manchester United and Arsenal, while his unclear status with the team, might lead to an expensive return to the Premier League.

It’s very rare to see a player return to the club he has always wanted to return to, but then not having the kind of dreamy time he always thought he’d have. Expectations are different at Barcelona, and a league title and one Copa Del Rey trophy, while missing the Champions League final two seasons in a row, isn’t enough.

And so, Fabregas, without a solid place in the lineup, shifted around positions and usually behind Andres Iniesta and Xavi in the play-making hierarchy, despite his 29 goals and 32 assists over the last couple of seasons, is not standing on solid ground with Barcelona, who officially would like to keep him, but aren’t saying no to certain kind of offers.

Manchester United no longer have the appeal of Alex Ferguson working for them, but it’s rumored that David Moyes is doing all he can to convince the Manchester United board to spend the £35-40 million needed to convince Barcelona to sell Fabregas.

Arsenal have a first right of refusal for the player if Barcelona want to sell him back to the Premier League, at a somewhat reduced price. Arsenal didn’t really have a problem with their midfield last season, and Santi Cazorla is possibly equal to Fabregas at the moment in terms of quality, but adding Fabregas isn’t something that anyone would complain about at the Emirates, showing some sense of ambition that seems to have been lost for a very long time.

How does this play out? Most likely it ends with nothing, because Fabregas himself doesn’t really want to leave, while Barcelona have other players they’re more inclined to let go, or someone like Thiago, they can’t prevent from leaving due to a release clause that isn’t so hard to match. Manchester United are interested in him as well, and might have to settle for the younger midfielder eventually.

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