Barcelona have taken the first steps in bringing Cesc Fabregas back to the Camp Nou. According to the Sunday Mirror, the European champions are in "formal contact" with Arsenal over the 24-year-old Spaniard but no official offer has yet been tabled.

The paper quotes Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood, as saying: "Yes, they have spoken to us about Cesc. They have been in touch. But so far they have not made a bid and we do not want to let him go."

But despite Arsenal's reluctance to sell their captain and chief playmaker, Hill-Wood seemed to signal that the club won't stand in the way of Fabregas if he chooses to return to the club where he began his career. "He comes from Barcelona so it is understandable if he wanted to go back."

At the start of last week Fabregas told reporters he was still an Arsenal player and had no wish to "harm" the club, while also admitting that he was envious of Barcelona's never-ending success.