Transfer Machine: Fabregas To Barcelona

No one at the Emirates Stadium wants to see Cesc Fabregas leave Arsenal. His manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly insisted that the club are not looking to offload the Spaniard to Barcelona even though Fabregas has made it no secret that he covets a future move back to the Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, those in the boardroom have been wringing their hands as it is not club policy to keep a player against his wishes. But what are those wishes? Fabregas, who is contractually obligated to Arsenal until 2014, wants his future sorted out as soon as possible. While he hasn't come out and distinctly said he wishes to leave, he always stated he could see himself playing at Barcelona. And in the past five years seeing Arsenal coming up short in the trophy department, this desire has almost surely grown. Has it reached critical mass?

No doubt Wenger has held serious discussions on the matter with his star midfielder. If No. 4 really does want to leave, a deal should be made as soon as possible so that Fabregas can concentrate on winning a World Cup this summer. With numbers already being thrown out in terms of what sort of transfer fee Cesc will garner, here's what I think should be done to make a deal both sides can live with.

If you're Arsenal, your squad is in need of some serious reinforcements. With the recent signing of ex-Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, attention now needs to be paid to the defense and/or goalkeeper positions. Time to put on my club director boots and step into the transfer machine. Take a look at these three scenarios:

Barca: $30-40 million for Fabregas + defender Rafael Marquez
Why?: The oft-injured Marquez has slipped behind in the center-back pecking order. When fit, he is a rock in the back for any club. At 31, he is a year younger than William Gallas, another man who seems on his way out at the Emirates.

Barca: $20-30 million for Fabregas + striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Why?: By all accounts, Ibra had an off-year for the Blaugrana. His form was inconsistent throughout the entire season. With Barca's recent signing of striker David Villa, this might signal a drop in playing time for the Swedish international. Arsenal could use the firepower to battle the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Barca: $30-40 million for Fabregas + midfielder Yaya Toure
Why?: Toure has said he wants to leave Barca. Or at least that's what his agent says. Regardless, the player Arsene Wenger has wanted once before could finally make his way to London. Toure combines a strong physical presence in the center of the park while being able to slip back and play defense when needed. He would the kind of defensive midfielder Arsenal have not had since the days of Patrick Vieira.