Fabregas, Van Persie, Arsenal
Manchester United are trying to reunite Cesc Fabregas with his former Arsenal teammate Robin van Persie at Old Trafford. Reuters

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has claimed that Cesc Fabregas is intent on remaining with the Spanish champions, following the news of a €30 million (£25.9m) offer being tabled by Manchester United. The bid came swiftly on the back of United failing to land fellow-Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who decided to join Bayern Munich. Yet, according to Vilanova, United will again be disappointed.

“There have been offers for him from other clubs, but I spoke with Cesc and he told me that he was still determined to stay here and be successful, so I'm not worried,” he said, according to ESPN. "He doesn't want to go to other teams for money reasons or playing time. He knows there is competition for places here, but his decision is to stay. I am relaxed about the situation. It is a good sign that the club gets offers for our players. It shows we have players other teams want. But Fabregas wants to stay.”

However, despite those comments, Talksport has reported their understanding that United are still confident of luring Fabregas to Old Trafford and talks are ongoing between both clubs. And the Guardian believes that if Barcelona were minded to accept an offer then he would take it as a sign that his future lied elsewhere and would be open to joining the Premier League champions.

The Guardian also reports that new Manchester United boss David Moyes is intent on adding add two midfielders to his squad this summer. The other name currently said to feature most prominently on his wanted list is Marouane Fellaini. The move has long appeared to make sense with the Belgian able to offer the physicality that United’s midfield currently lacks, while Moyes, of course, brought Fellaini to the Premier League in 2008. The 25-year-old has a clause in his contract allowing him to join a club in the Champions League for around £23 million and Moyes is believed to be seriously considering making an offer.

Another player long reported to be on Manchester United’s list of targets to add strength to their midfield is now all-but out of the running, however. PSV Eindhoven’s Kevin Strootman, linked with a move to Old Trafford for more than a year, is set to complete a move to Roma. PSV’s website released a statement stating that a fee has been agreed for the 23-year-old and that the Netherlands international will now travel to Italy to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

Also looking increasingly unlikely to be joining United this summer is Leighton Baines. The Everton left-back has already been the subject of a rejected £10 million offer, with an improved bid of £12 million expected to be submitted by United. Both proposals, though, fall a long way short of Everton’s £20 million valuation. And if the asking price is not met before the season kicks-off next month, Baines will sign a new contract at Goodison Park, according to the Daily Mirror. The England international was strongly linked as a replacement for Patrice Evra last summer and Moyes appears keen to once again link up with the 28-year-old.

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