Cesc interest intensifies

Spanish sports newspapers Marca and DiarioSport say today that Txiki Begiristain wants to bring Cesc Fabregas back to the Nou Camp to hand a "psychological and morale" blow to Real Madrid, where president Ramon Calderon has failed in consecutive summers to bring the Arsenal star to the Santiago Bernabeu.

In order to make the deal happen, Begiristain is prepared to cash in on midfielder Xavi, with Cesc arriving as his direct replacement.

Any serious move by Barca will spark an incredible bidding war with Real, as Calderon will not sit back and allow one of his pre-election promises to join Madrid's bitter rivals.