Fabregas Doesn't Regret Trying To Leave Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he does not regret trying to leave Arsenal in the summer.

Barcelona has pursued Fabregas all summer but all attempts to bring him back to Spain failed as the transfer was not accepted by Arsenal.

But the Spaniard has now admitted that Read Madrid were also interested in signing him.

Speaking to radio station Cadena Cope the Arsenal captain said: "I am not someone who goes around saying who is interested in me but it's difficult to say who showed more interest, Barcelona or Real.

"I am lucky that two clubs have enquired about me. This is something very important that doesn't happen every day. During the summer, however, I was honest and I spoke from the heart. During the entire summer I had known this."

Despite wanting to return to Barcelona, the club he played for before moving to Arsenal in 2003, he says that he is happy at the London club.

"I tried [to leave] during the summer but in the end it couldn't be. In my head I thought that it could have happened. It was a great opportunity for me but here [at Arsenal] I have everything; all that is missing is winning titles. I couldn't leave because of many reasons, principally because Arsenal said no'.

"When your club says this and the manager is so emphatic, it is difficult. The amount for me to go to Barcelona didn't disappoint me. I do not think that more could have been done.

"In the future I don't know what will happen. To play in Barcelona is a dream ... but I'm happy [at Arsenal]."

Fabregas has been out of action for the best part of a month after struggling with a hamstring problem, but he is expected to return to the side this weekend.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw