Barca want showdown meeting with Wenger over Cesc

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell wants a World Cup summit with Arsene Wenger in his battle to sign Cesc Fabregas.

Rosell, who took up office last week, is planning to fly to Durban for tomorrow's World Cup semi final and is trying to set up a meeting with Arsenal boss Wenger.

Wenger has been commentating for French TV channel TF1 and snubbed a meeting with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola at last Friday's quarter final between Ghana and Uruguay.

But Rosell is trying to go on a charm offence, having already assured Fabregas's family and advisers that Barcelona still want to sign him despite Joan Laporta's departure as president.

It is believed Barcelona - who have already had a £30m bid turned down - are prepared to go to £40m to get Fabregas.

But Arsenal insist Fabregas is not for sale, has five years left on his contract and they are not interested in any negotiations.

Barca boss Guardiola's visit to South Africa also saw him go to the Spain camp and the Spanish press have reported that he met with Fabregas and reassured him that they will push for the deal.

That will annoy Arsenal who are standing firm despite Fabregas telling Wenger face to face that he wants to join his childhood heroes Barcelona.

Fabregas has insisted that he will remain fully focused on the World Cup and last week hinted that he may yet stay at Arsenal, having seen Barcelona struggle to tie up a deal.