It seems more and more inevitable for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to leave the Gunners to move back to Spain with Barcelona. At least, according to former defender Martin Keown.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the Englishman explained that despite a club official statement saying that the player is not for sale, in his opinion, the 23-year old will leave the North London Club after long negotiations between the two parties.

The only reason – according to Keown – why the signing is yet to be finalised is the fee, as the Spanish giants will do anything they can to get the midfielder via the cheapest possible way. The 43-year old also said that it’s not sensible to keep a player against his will, especially when he’s so important for the squad.

The former Arsenal centre back concluded by saying how the player has been thinking of Barcelona for quite some time now and how the respect he has for the club and manager Arsene Wenger is what has kept him in England for such a long time.

Keown said:

Fabregas will certainly leave. What we are seeing at the moment are long, protracted, drawn-out negotiations between Arsenal and Barca.

Arsenal are showing their early position and Barcelona are looking to get him for as cheap as they can.

If Fabregas’ body language is wrong, he’s such an important figure, then he has to go. We trust in Wenger to make the right decision for the football club.

The move to Barcelona is something that has been in his mind for some time. He wants to go back to where he began, but at the same time he wants to be respectful to Arsenal and to Arsene who has nurtured him through.

It must have been difficult for him to see Arsene Wenger and ask for the move.