SOCCER:FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S agreement to purchase Valencia striker David Villa, Barcelona believe they can conclude the signing of Cesc Fabregas in the next 48 hours after negotiating the basis of a contract with the midfielder. Fabregas has informed Arsene Wenger of his desire to leave the Emirates and the Spanish champions are hopeful of swiftly tying up a deal, even though they admit that they face difficult negotiations with Arsenal.

Barcelona initially envisaged a fee in the region of €35 million for the player but now privately accept that it will be difficult to close a deal at that price. With Arsenal demanding a minimum of €40 million, Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has said that he is prepared to pay more to make the deal happen. The Catalan club is also ready to offer players in part-exchange.

Although Barcelona appeared to take a step backwards yesterday when the sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, talked about the significance of Fabregas being under contract at the Emirates, privately they are bullish.

Sources in Barcelona said a deal is in place with the player over wages and length of contract.

The club is also encouraged that for the first time the 23-year-old has been prepared to agitate for a move, telling Wenger unequivocally he wants to leave.

Last summer, the manager asked Fabregas to continue at Arsenal and the midfielder reluctantly agreed. This summer he is determined not to be denied a move.

Barcelona continue to use Fabregas’s desire to come to the Camp Nou as leverage with Arsenal but are keen not to irritate the Premier League club, which is why Begiristain was publicly restrained yesterday.

“What counts here is Arsenal and what their decision is, because Cesc is a very important player for them,” Begiristain said.

“It is great news that he wants to come. [But] sometimes what players want does not happen [because] they have contracts in force. I think that at some stage Cesc will come to Barcelona. I don’t know when but I have the feeling that he is a Barcelona player and he would love to play here. But we have to respect Arsenal and the contract he has there.”

Barcelona will examine whether a player exchange can speed a deal. Yaya Toure was the most likely candidate but his agent, Dimitri Seluk, has insisted the midfielder will not go to Arsenal. “Toure is not Cesc and nor is he going to replace him,” he said. “He will not go to Arsenal.”

Barcelona have moved quickly to secure the signing of Villa, who joined from Valencia for €40 million yesterday. Villa will be presented tomorrow and Barcelona would like to present Fabregas alongside him.

With the Villa deal finalised, Barcelona believe that they can quicken the pace over Fabregas. The Arsenal captain and the Catalan club are determined to conclude the transfer before the Spain squad meets in Madrid on Monday to prepare for the World Cup. Fabregas has said he wants his future settled before the tournament begins in South Africa next month.

Villa bade an emotional farewell to Valencia yesterday.

The 28-year-old will undergo a medical in the Catalan capital tomorrow morning before being unveiled on a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

The move brings to an end a successful five-year stint with Valencia which has seen Villa develop into one of the most feared forwards in Europe and become a regular international.

He admitted, however, that he leaves the Mestalla with a heavy heart.

“I get a lot of feelings, leaving many friends, but knowing that it is good for the club,” he said in an open letter.

“At Valencia I have grown as a player and as a person. At Valencia I have felt at home from day one and nobody will doubt it to be that way forever.

“I want everyone to know that it has been a great source of pride for me to wear this shirt. It has given me so much and I will always carry it in my heart.”

Villa helped Valencia win the 2008 Copa del Rey and will move on having fired the club to a third-place finish in La Liga in 2009/10 to return the club to the Champions League.

He scored 107 goals in 166 league matches for Valencia after establishing himself initially with Real Zaragoza.