BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has admitted he wants to sign Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, with the fee for the 21-year-old reported to be �45m.

BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has admitted he wants to sign Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, with the fee for the 21-year-old reported to be �45m. (Various)

Fabregas is considered 'the one that got away' by Barcelona, after he progressed through the club's youth system before joining Arsenal.

Laporta said: “Cesc is very happy at Arsenal. It would be a lack of respect to talk about him leaving. However, he was formed here and I would really like to see him in a Barcelona shirt.

“It is the coaching staff's opinion that counts not mine. We know he is a player with great quality who knows the Barcelona style perfectly.

“We already have the best midfield in the world but you can always improve things. That is for the coaching staff to decide. I'm sure he would adapt to our system.”

Fabregas pledged his future to Arsenal after he was installed as the club's captain earlier this season.

However, it is widely expected that he will return to Spain at some point in his career. And unless Arsenal can begin challenging for the game's biggest prizes, that could come sooner rather than later.

Arsene Wenger has always stressed the importance of keeping Fabregas at Arsenal, and Ivan Gazidis, the club's new chief executive, has this week claimed the Spaniard has no intention of leaving.

“For any player who aspires to be successful, who wants to become a better player, it's difficult for me to imagine a better environment to be in than Arsenal under the guidance and tutelage of Arsene Wenger,” said Gazidis.

“Cesc is extremely happy at Arsenal, totally committed to the club. That's every message that Arsene Wenger or I have ever received from Cesc.”