ONE of the striking things about the transfer market this summer is the speed at which transfers have been conducted. In recent years transfer sagas have dragged on throughout the summer, thinkReal Madrid’s tug-of-war for Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool’s pursuit of Gareth Barry and Manchester United’s capture of Dimitar Berbatov just hours before the close of the transfer window last year.

This year, so far at least, things have been resolved more speedily. Ronaldo finally got his dream move to Real as did Kaka, Barry somewhat surprisingly joined Manchester City as did Roque Santa Cruz, a player Mark Hughes has pursued relentlessly for the past 12 months.

Most summers bring at least one saga that goes on and on and there are signs that this year’s one could centre on Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish star has linked with a return to Spain to join either Barcelona or Real Madrid. Like Ronaldo 12 months ago Fabregas has taken to given contradictory remarks when questioned about his future, comments that at the very least suggest that his head, if it hasn’t already, could be turned.

 Fabregas’ remarks suggest an uncertainly in his mind about his future.  What is certain though is Fabregas has struggled for form over the past 12 months. Granted he missed the bones of four months through injury last season but his form prior to that and following his return was a long way short of what he is capable of.

Curiously the Gunners lost just one of the 17 games Fabregas missed during his absence. Fabregas’ failure to exert any sort of an influence over the matches that ultimately defined Arsenal’s season, the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea and the Champions League reversal to Manchester United will have been noted with concern by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Perhaps part of the reason for Fabregas’ form is that he feels inhibited and exposed at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.  In the Spaniard’s best season at the Emirates in 2007/2008 the form, defensive qualities and tactical nous of Mathieu Flamini gave him license to go forward and be creative at will.

Since Flamini’s departure Fabregas seems less sure of himself. And judging by recent comments attributed to him he isn’t overly happy with his supporting cast of Denilson, Alex Song and Abou Diaby. ‘‘We are accustomed to playing alongside the likes of Patrick Vieira, (Mathieu) Flamini and Gilberto Silva,’’ Fabregas said. ‘‘Last season we were weak in this position which is so important, especially for teams like us.’’

He may have a point but public criticism, implied or otherwise, of his team-mates is not something a club captain should be making. After all it was just that cost Fabregas’ predecessor William Gallas the role. It might also be the reason why there have been suggestions Fabregas isn’t the most popular figure in the Arsenal dressing-room with rumours suggesting his personality has altered for the worse since Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph.

All in all you can’t help but feel Fabregas could be filling quite a few column inches before the transfer window shuts.