Failure to sign Fabregas a major blow, admits Barca president

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu admits Cesc Fabregas’ decision to stay at Arsenal has come as a major blow to the Catalan giants.

Barca chased the 23 year-old midfielder all summer and made two bids to bring the Spain star back to the club where he started his career, but Arsenal were unwilling to do business and the player himself released a statement on Friday confirming he will be staying in north London.