Such words are not always the signal that a transfer is impossible.u00a0In this instance though, it is not known whether the midfielder actually wants to move.

However, after his outstanding eight-year stint at Arsenal, which came to an end in 2011, Fabregas may conclude he is better placed to expand his medal collection by joining United as opposed to his former club if he concludes his time at the Nou Camp is over.

That is by no means certain.u00a0Having seen Thiago Alcantara join Bayern Munich, Fabregas may think he still has a future at Barcelona despite the competition provided by Xavi, Andres Iniesta and 50million pounds new-boy Neymar.

Yet, like Thiago, Fabregas also knows his place in the Spain squad for next summer’s World Cup will be at risk if he does not feature regularly at club level.

And he must know, given the state of United’s midfield, he would be one of the key men at Old Trafford.

The side issue would be that because he has featured in the advanced ‘false nine’ role, it would raise a further question mark over Wayne Rooney’s status at United.