Cesc Fabregas ready to join David Villa in Barcelona

Update

It's official, David Villa now is Barcelona's newest conquest. The Catalan club paid close to $50 million for the Spanish striker. Next on their crosshairs are Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney.

Spanish daily sports newspaper Marca is reporting that Arsenal captain Cesc Frabegas has met with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to talk about a possible departure to Barcelona before the start of the World Cup.

According the paper, the Spanish international believes it is time to leave the English Premier League and return to his original team, where he began his career in its youth system.

Fabregas needs Wenger's approval, but the sticking point probably will be money. Arsenal is looking to get 50 million Euros ($61 million). As of February, Arsenal owed an estimated $290 million. Barcelona will probably be using Arsenal's massive debt to their advatage to bring down Fabregas price to the $25-$30 million range.

If the sale goes through, it will be the second big signing for Barcelona ahead of next month's World Cup. Valencia and the Catalan club will be announcing a deal for international striker David Villa in the coming days.

Photo Credit: AP