Messi "confident" of Cesc deal

Lionel Messi last night claimed he is “confident” Cesc Fabregas will join Barcelona.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Fabregas is not for sale at any price and has called on the Spanish midfielder to publicly pledge his future to the club.

But Barcelona superstar Messi is likely to re-ignite the war of words between the clubs by insisting he expects Fabregas to move to the Nou Camp this summer.

Messi, in an interview with Spanish TV station Cuatro, said: “It is no secret that Cesc is my friend. The whole world knows that and I would love him to sign for Barca.

“I hope that the matter can be resolved soon and I’m confident that in the end it will be resolved in the way that Cesc can be a Barcelona player.”

Messi admitted during the World Cup that he has regularly been texting his old Barcelona youth team colleague in an effort to get him to leave Arsenal.

Arsenal have been infuriated by Barcelona’s public pursuit and tapping-up of Fabregas and have already turned down a £30m bid.

But, despite insisting Fabregas is expected to see out the remaining five years of his contract, Wenger will not be pleased to see Messi’s latest outburst.

Fabregas is due back on Thursday for Arsenal’s photo-call and public training session at the Emirates for 10,000 supporters.