Messi and Villa have their say on Fàbregas and Torres

Lionel Messi and David Villa are the latest star names to have had their say over the futures of Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres.

Messi has further fuelled the Fàbregas-to-Barcelona transfer saga by revealing he “would love him to sign for Barca”, while Villa has warned Liverpool that next season is the Anfield club’s “last chance” keep hold of Torres.

Fàbregas has been linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium but the north London club, who rejected a £30 million bid for the 23-year-old, are refusing to negotiate with the La Liga champions.

And Messi has followed in the footsteps of fellow Barça stars Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta and Gerard Piqué by speaking out about Fàbregas’ future.

“It is no secret that Cesc is my friend,” Messi told Spanish television station Cuatro. “The whole world knows that and I would love him to sign for Barca.

“I hope that the matter can be resolved soon and I’m confident that in the end it will be resolved in the way that Cesc can be a Barcelona player.”

Meanwhile new Barcelona signing Villa says he is “surprised” that Torres looks set to stay on at Anfield and admits he expected the Spain striker to join Chelsea over the summer.

“I am actually a little surprised. It looks like he is staying,” Villa is quoted as saying by the Daily Star Sunday. “After I spoke with him at the World Cup I thought he would sign for Chelsea.

“I think it must only be that Chelsea did not meet Liverpool’s valuation. Because, if they had, I am sure he would have made the move.’

“This is Liverpool’s last chance to keep him. They have to prove they are capable of challenging on all fronts this season, otherwise he will be gone.

“If Liverpool fail to win anything I am sure he will be at Chelsea next summer.”