SOCCER:BARCELONA ARE increasingly confident they will finally secure Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas before the weekend as negotiations with the London club over a fee edge closer to resolution.
The Spaniard could yet be followed out of Arsenal by Samir Nasri as Manchester City are similarly hopeful of signing the France international for around €28 million.
Negotiations are ongoing, with Arsenal yet to accept any deal formally. Yet, Barca have received encouragement that a package worth an initial €29 million – with a further payment of around €6 million linked to future appearances and honours still under discussion – will now prove sufficient to sign the player.
Tottenham Hotspur face an uphill task if they are to sign Spain international forward Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao, with the Spanish club unwilling to accept any offer for the striker that does not trigger the €36 million buy-out clause in his contract.
Police forces across England are waiting to see if there are any further outbreaks of public disorder before deciding whether the English Premier League season can start as planned this weekend.
The league can wait until tomorrow to make the decision, although it and the Football League will offer their latest public assessment today.
GuardianService
