Wenger: ‘Unsettled’ Fabregas ‘torn between two loves’

ARSENE WENGER admits that Cesc Fabregas is “torn between two loves’’ but he wants his captain’s future sorted out as soon as possible so he can focus on the new season.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move back to Barcelona but, despite constant speculation, Fabregas remains at Arsenal.

The 24-year-old will not play at this weekend’s Emirates Cup, largely because he is returning from a muscular problem, but Wenger admits that this summer’s saga is a factor too.

“He will not be involved because at the moment he is not settled,” said the manager. “He is coming back from an injury and is not settled with us. You know all the speculation which is around his position, that has to be sorted out soon. He is the captain of our club and we have to make sure he is really focused on being with us.

“There is only one deadline, it is on August 31. The other deadline is for us to get everybody focused, the players who are really committed to the blub, my energy and my focus goes on them.

Wenger is also hopeful contract rebel Samir Nasri will sign a new deal.

He said: “Samir loves the club, like Cesc. They both do. Every day we read that they are going somewhere but they are still with us.”

Wenger added: “My wish is Nasri stays with us for a bit more. I’m convinced he will.”

Arsenal are understood to be close to an £18m deal for Valencia midfielder Juan Mata, while bids for Everton’s England centre-back Phil Jagielka and promising young Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell are on the table.

Wenger said he intends to get all of his remaining transfer business done “sooner rather than later”.