Man United transfers: Red Devils ‘give up on signing Cesc Fàbregas’

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has insisted that Manchester United have pulled out of the race to sign Cesc Fàbregas.

The Red Devils have tabled at least two bids for the 26-year-old playmaker, but the La Liga champions have been quick to turn down United’s advances.

David Moyes was reported to be weighing up a third bid for the Spain international, believed to be in the region of £30m.

But Barcelona chief Zubizarreta has moved to end the speculation over the midfielder’s future by insisting that the Premier League side have agreed to end their pursuit of the player.

“They [United] have told us that they understand our position and have confirmed that they’re withdrawing from their attempts to sign Cesc,” said Zubizarreta.

“We saw in the Joan Gamper match [against Santos on Friday] that he is on his game. He has a contract and anything else is just speculation.”

Zubizarreta’s comments come after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Sunday insisted that Fàbregas has decided to stay at Camp Nou for at least another season.

The Frenchman said: “What I know is that Fàbregas will stay one more year at least with Barcelona. That’s the information I have. If that changes, I don’t know. That’s what I’ve been told.”

Fàbregas spent eight seasons in north London with Arsenal before securing a £35m transfer back to his boyhood club in August 2011.