SOCCER:BARCELONA'S LONG-RUNNING pursuit of Cesc Fabregas appears finally to be nearing a successful conclusion as the Arsenal midfielder has made it clear to Arsène Wenger the time is right for him to return to the Camp Nou.

Fabregas went back to Catalonia last night after a brief spell at London Colney undergoing medical tests on his fractured leg, suffered against Barca in March, having indicated to Wenger that he now wishes to leave them after seven years in England.

The manager will seek to speak with the 23-year-old again later this week, though it appears the Spaniard’s mind is made up.

The Gunners have been consistently resistant to losing a player who arrived from Camp Nou as a 16-year-old but who has become their talisman in recent trophy-less seasons, and may insist he hands in a formal transfer request. However, they will effectively have little choice but to sanction a transfer now that he has made it clear he does not wish to stay.

Barcelona hope to secure the player for around €35 million, and could offer to include the unsettled Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure or even the Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic as part of the deal, though there is no guarantee that the Londoners would accept either player.

They will seek nearer €47 million for their captain, a demand that will prompt what is likely to be protracted and fractious negotiations, with Wenger having gone on record towards the end of last season that he was under “no financial pressure” to sell.

Yet there is an acceptance at Arsenal that where previous attempts from Barca to secure the player have been successfully deflected, they will be fighting a losing battle on this occasion.

Fabregas, who has four years to run on a contract signed in 2006, indicated last week he hoped to clarify his future before the World Cup finals, with the outgoing Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, anxious to conclude deals for the midfielder and the Valencia striker David Villa ahead of the club’s presidential elections on June 13th.

Laporta would consider the eye-catching signings to be his legacy to the Spanish champions – the title was retained last weekend – as they seek to steal a march on Real Madrid in the transfer market.

Villa has also been a long-standing target and is expected to replace the former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who is set to follow David Beckham’s lead and move to Major League Soccer, though the Barca president has been especially encouraged by Fabregas’s willingness to return to the club he left at 16 after progressing through the youth ranks alongside Lionel Messi.

Fabregas is the top earner at Arsenal on a reported €130,000 a week. Barcelona’s top earners command significantly more, with Ibrahamovic reported to earn upwards of €175,000 a week while Messi’s earnings are believed to be around €235,000 a week.

Laporta admitted it was “remarkable” that Fabregas had publicly expressed his desire to return to the Camp Nou.

“Negotiations are progressing well, especially in the case of Villa,” said vice-president, Rafael Yuste.

“The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement. But what makes it easier is that both players want to come to Barca.”

While the loss of Fabregas would be a massive blow, Wenger has been active in his summer recruitment drive already as he looks to complete the formalities of Marouane Chamakh’s arrival.

The Morocco international has been in London to put the finishing touches to a free transfer move from Bordeaux, which can be officially confirmed once his contract with the French club expires.

The 26-year-old has been a long-term target for the Gunners having almost come to Emirates Stadium last summer, and will give Wenger the back-up in attack needed to support Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

The Moroccan’s arrival could also leave a question mark over the future of Croatia striker Eduardo at the Emirates.