Manchester United prepare final €41m bid for Fabregas

The Premier League champions will return with one
last offer for the Spain midfielder, but are pessimistic
about their chances and have lined up a number of
alternative signings
EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart
Manchester United will make an improved third bid worth €41
million for Cesc Fabregas after Barcelona rejected their latest
offer for the midfielder, Goal understands.
The Blaugrana have turned down United's second bid for
Fabregas - worth €35m plus add-ons - and have told the
Premier League champions the former Arsenal captain is not
for sale.
United, however, are preparing a third and final bid to
test Barcelona's reserve as the club's vice-president, Ed
Woodward, looks to provide new manager David Moyes
with a stellar midfield signing this summer.
The Premier League champions would offer Fabregas a
wage package worth around €233,000-a-week but fear
they will be unable to agree a fee with Barcelona to
take the player to Old Trafford.
Moyes confirmed on Monday that United had lodged an
improved bid for Fabregas, as the 26-year-old is ready
to consider his future at the Camp Nou, with former
club Arsenal holding a €29m buy-back clause and also
monitoring the situation.
Barca expect to keep Fabregas, particularly in light of
Thiago Alcantara's departure to Bayern Munich, and
United sources are increasingly pessimistic about the
club's chances of landing the Spain international.
"This is the final push," a source close to the deal told
Goal. "They are only willing to give it one more go, and
know that if this fails they have other options."
Moyes publicly admitted United may be forced to
accept defeat in their pursuit of Fabregas, while
Barcelona are believed to have given the English club
short shrift, not least because their second offer was made on
the same day that coach Tito Vilanova announced his
resignation for health reasons.
United are considering alternatives should they miss out on
Fabregas, with Luka Modric, Yohan Cabaye and and Marouane
Fellaini all on Moyes' shortlist to add creativity and attacking
threat to his midfield.
United made their first bid of €29m for Fabregas last week,
which the Catalans immediately rejected, prompting
Woodward to leave the pre-season trip to Australia ahead of
schedule on Wednesday.
Fabregas returned to his hometown club in 2011 after eight
years at Arsenal, but has struggled for a regular starting spot at
the Camp Nou.
He still made 32 appearances for Barca last season, scoring 11
goals and providing 11 assists.