Soccer:Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted he will prioritise signing Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez over bringing Cesc Fabregas back to the Nou Camp.
But Guardiola revealed he had been told the money was available to complete both transfers and claimed Arsenal have agreed to negotiate the sale of Fabregas to the European champions.
"The priority is a striker, as we have more players in midfield than up front," Guardiola, speaking at a press conference, was quoted as saying on the Barcelona website.
"There are midfielders in the B team that can help us out. Everything costs money, but it's a striker we need.
"As (sporting director) Andoni (Zubizarreta) has told me, there is enough money to sign them (Sanchez and Fabregas) both, and we'll be trying to do that."
Zubizarreta certainly expects a deal for Chile winger Sanchez, who has also been linked with Chelsea, Manchester City and Inter Milan, to be concluded soon.
"All three parties have worked hard and we understand that the negotiations are coming to an end," said Zubizarreta, whose club are selling Bojan Krkic to Roma.
"Some endings are long-winded, but we hope that it is a happy one".
Barca were rebuffed by Arsenal in their pursuit of Fabregas 12 months ago but are hoping to persuade the Gunners to part with their influential skipper, who moved to London from Barcelona as a 16-year-old, this summer.
Guardiola said: "We were interested last year, but Arsenal did not put him on the market. This year they've agreed to negotiate and we will try to reach an agreement.
"You all know about Barca's interest in Cesc. There is money set aside for this player and until the last day we will try to bring in Cesc because he will make the squad better. I hope that something can be sorted. Until August 31 there is time, but at times things don't always work out."
Guardiola also spoke out against the possibility of Fabregas, who missed Arsenal's Asia tour to nurse a troublesome hamstring, forcing his exit from the Gunners, saying: "I think that Cesc has to do what Arsenal ask. For me I wouldn't like one of my players to say 'now I'm not training because I want to go'."
Zubizarreta added about the Primera Division champions' interest in Fabregas: "The position towards Arsenal is one of maximum respect because the club own the player. Also towards the player.
"From there, our position is to try and see eye to eye (on a deal), creating proposals that may be of interest, while always maintaining the maximum respect. We don't have a style of doing things by force."
