Barca are hoping to reduce the fee for Cesc Fabregas, by throwing the unwanted pair into the mix.
Barcelona could use a former Arsenal midfielder in their bid to prise Cesc Fabregas away from The Emirates.
Arsenal are rumoured to want around €46million for Fabregas, and the Blaugrana are now looking for ways to get around paying such a vast sum.
According to The Daily Mail, Barca are set to offer Aliaksandr Hleb in part exchange. The Belorussian international hardly got a look in during his first season at the Camp Nou, and despite stating his intention to stay and fight for a place, would be tempted by the chance to return to more familiar surroundings.
However, whether Arsene Wenger would be willing to bring Hleb back is another matter.
Apparently Barcelona are also considering throwing Eidur Gudjohnsen into the mix, as the Icelandic international looks set on a move to England.
Pep Guardiola wants to sign Cesc Fabregas and Franck Ribery in order to maintain the momentum of his historic Barcelona team over the summer.
The Blaugrana boss will also add two defenders to his ranks, but he has pinpointed the two high profile stars as the key men to give his squad what he deems a necessary boost.
After the Catalan club’s domestic title and Champions League triumph in 2006, no big names were added and president Joan Laporta and his team have learnt that they must freshen things up this summer.
In order to avoid that same complacency, Barca are working behind the scenes to secure the Arsenal captain and the Bayern Munich winger, Sport state.
Several players are due to leave Camp Nou this summer and Guardiola wants players that he can rely upon to play in more than one position going forward.
Fabregas could replace Xavi or could play alongside him if Andres Iniesta is employed in the front three.
Ribery can provide options down either flank. He will compete with Thierry Henry on the left and cover for Lionel Messi on the right.
From : Goal.com
Cesc Fabregas is reportedly close to signing for Barcelona.
The 22-year-old heads a list of five targets drawn up by Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Barcelona are encouraged by a stream of praise from Fabregas, who last week told a Catalan radio station that anyone would want to play for the newly crowned European champions.
And the newspaper claims ‘reliable sources’ believe there is already a ‘firm agreement’ that their former trainee will rejoin the club next month.
It is estimated the fee would be in excess of £40million, though Barca could offer players in exchange or a significant chunk of cash in performance-related clauses.
Guardiola is said to have discussed targets with director of football Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona’s dealmaker, on Monday.
Other than Fabregas, Barca would recall Brazilian defender Henrique, who spent the season on loan at Leverkusen.
Almeria right-back Bruno Saltor is also wanted to cover for Dani Alves and they are seeking a left-back and winger, who have yet to be identified.
Barcelona’s performances this season have drawn envious eyes from one corner of north London.
Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he would jump at the chance to join a Barcelona team whom he has hailed as the best in history after their treble-winning season.
The Arsenal midfielder is enamoured with the way his former side have been playing and thinks that every player would want to play for them if they had the chance.
Asked by ONA FM if he would like to move back to the club, Fabregas could not hide his admiration for the Blaugrana.
“Which player would not like to play for a team like that at the moment?” he asked rhetorically.
“They are probably the best team that I have seen play in history and I have a lot of friends there who are always telling me great things.
“Of course, you feel envy in a healthy way because of the way they play football. Everyone’s dream is to play in a team like that.”
Thierry Henry added the Champions League to his incredible list of trophy wins and Fabregas was one of the first on the phone to congratulate the Frenchman.
“I spoke to him yesterday and that was the only [trophy] that he was missing. He was delighted,” Fabregas continued.
“He had a difficult year adapting and this year he came into his own. Guardiola showed faith in him.
“Now Henry has everything and I do not know if there are many players that can equal his honours list.”