FABREGAS: Pressurised by Barcelona 

BARCELONA have made it clear it's now or never for Cesc Fabregas as they prepare to step up their pursuit of the midfielder.

The Arsenal skipper confirmed this week that he wants to play for Barcelona "at some stage", but Nou Camp officials want the £40m deal done this summer.

Despite their admiration for the Arsenal midfielder, they have warned his camp that they will not wait around forever to sign the Arsenal star.

Fabregas has been left in no doubt that he is the man Barcelona want to sign this summer, but are offering no guarantees that the offer will be open again next year.

It means Fabregas is coming under increasing pressure to make a decision on his future after he publicly announced that he wanted it resolved before the World Cup.

He is currently renting former Barcelona ace Deco's house on the outskirts of the city as he contemplates his future.

Fabregas fears Arsenal will continue to fall behind their Premier League rivals as he considers his future.

The Arsenal skipper returned to Spain at the start of the month for some "soul-searching" as he contemplates a move to Barcelona.

Fabregas, who is renting former Barca ace Deco's house in Spain for the summer, is torn between his loyalty to the Gunners and a move to his boyhood club.

The midfielder, who was named in Spain's 30 man squad for the World Cup last week, believes Arsenal are falling behind their Premier League rivals.

Arsene Wenger is waiting for Fabregas to make a decision on his future, but the signs are ominous after the midfielder's announcement last week.

Fabregas, 23, insists he wants the situation resolved before the World Cup finals begin, but Arsenal have nothing left to offer.

The midfielder has no interest in signing an improved contract at the club and his aim is simply to play for a team challenging for the game's major honours.

Arsenal's humiliation against Barcelona in the Champions League was a wake-up call after spending seven years buying into Wenger's project.

Fabregas decided to stay at Arsenal last season after Barcelona won an astonishing six trophies in Pep Guardiola's first season as coach.

This time he believes he could make a bigger impact on the team after they were knocked out of the Champions League against Inter Milan.