Cesc Fabregas has been won over by the prospect of a romantic return to the Premiership with the English Champions. He has become increasingly attracted to the idea of heading back to the old stomping ground where he mesmerised the public with his vision, passing & control of games from his midfield hot-seat with Arsenal. He was the Main Man when in the Premiership, whereas now he has taken a back seat to the established talents of Iniesta, Xavi, Messi & Busquets
In exciting news The Sunday Express reported yeserday "Sunday Express Sport, which broke the news of United's big move for the former Arsenal star on May 26, can reveal that Woodward came home early from his club's extensive Far East tour to try and facilitate the incoming Old Trafford record deal. That, we can disclose, included a meeting with the respected Dein, who also helped swing United's £24million capture of Robin van Persie last summer.
Dein told Woodward that Fabregas wants to return to the Premier League and that United and not former club Arsenal, who have first option on the Spanish midfielder, is his preferred destination.
United have made three bids for the 26-year-old, the latest more than £30m and one which they were confident Barcelona would accept.
But the departure of cancer stricken manager Tito Vilanova, who has been replaced by Gerardo Martino, has given United a big problem. Martino doesn't want as one of his first acts to sanction the departure of a popular player.
This has left United frustrated in the knowledge that their prime transfer target wants to join them and is happy with the personal terms on offer.
Now they believe it will be up to Fabregas to make his feelings known to the new Nou Camp manager and could even mean the former Gunner submitting a transfer request."
This is in keeping with the general belief reported regularly here on manchester-united MAD that Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United isn't just all smoke and mirrors.
After Barcelona's seemingly unequivocal refusal to sell Fabregas, why have United persisted? Why haven't they run off into the sunset and bought a Fellaini or a Cabaye? When a club like Barcelona say "The player is not transferable at any price" then that is that!
Or is it? United have stayed with it, to the detriment of making other deals happen. So it seems that Cesc's people are convinced it can happen, and are advising United that Cesc will go once Barcelona are happy with the bid.
In addition he has confided to friends that he would welcome the move to Old Trafford, although this is in direct conflict with what Gerard Pique, Xavi, Iniesta, Song and Barca's vice-president Josep Bartomeu hsve been saying to the press.
In the face of these flat-out refusals, and Fabregas's colleagues adamance that Cesc would never leave Barca, United STILL persist. Miguel Delaney has reported for Eircom Sports that United have been talking to Fabregas's people since mid-may, and all of the discussions they have held have been positive.
Admittedly, this could be Fabregas's people indulging in a bit of 'posturing' to help with sealing improved contract terms with Barcelona. Though one would suspect that United's negotiating team could spot a bit of 'posturing' from 100 paces.
So Barcelona and Cesc are saying one thing in Public, in front of the Spanish Press and are intimating another in private. Because if what they are saying in Public is the truth, then United's persistence would be just plain stupidity.
Somehow, one cannot see United's top-tier business people being that stupid.