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ELEVEN DAYS LEFT IN FABREGAS SAGA? Apologies, but we have to begin with the losing-the-will-to-live Cesc Fabregas saga because it’s just about the only major item of gossip in town this early morning – which, in fairness, is fair enough given that we are just a week away from the start of the new season. on the other hand, it’s yet another damning indictment of the state Arsenal are in that with just that short week to go they are still scratching around just to put their club captain on the pitch. Fabregas was fit to appear in training on Thursday and his now-expected participation in this weekend’s friendly against Benfica friendly could, however, have the useful effect of focusing a few minds in Barcelona as they would be then left with eleven days to conclude a deal before the midfielder becomes available and most-probably cup-tied in the Champions League. By all accounts, Wenger is now planning to use Fabregas, which is not much of a surprise given that he is a) seemingly fit again, b) Arsenal are already very short of players with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott injury doubts. obviously, the £60k-a-week Abou Diaby is completely injured. ‘Tomorrow’s match against Benfica at Estádio da Luz, for the Eusébio Cup, is Arsenal’s last pre-season friendly and with Barcelona still some £5 million short of the North London club’s £40 million valuation of Fàbregas, he has accepted he may have to play. The 24-year-old is disillusioned with the situation but Arsenal are unwilling to be bullied, as they see it, into accepting a lower offer,’ reports The Telegraph. ‘In turn, Barcelona insist they will not raise their latest offer, which amounted to £29.6 million plus add-ons that will take the total to £35 million. they believe the ball is in Arsenal’s court and at this stage there is no obvious sign of an end to the impasse.’ In a minor twist, Stan Kroenke has flown in to London, but, contrary to what The Daily Mail is reporting, the American’s presence will not make much of a difference, according to the Indy: ‘Arsene Wenger was given the backing of Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke yesterday to hold out on his £40m valuation of Cesc Fabregas and not to change his position in any negotiations over the player’s putative transfer to Barcelona this month.’ In summary, then, it’s the growing possibility that Fabregas will be selected for Arsenal’s CL qualifier that may at long last bring this matter to a close, one way or another. TOON COULD KEEP TWIT-LESS BARTON By sharp contrast, the Joey Barton saga has been both amusing and of acceptable length. And it might be amicably resolved imminently. Contradicting their insistence on Thursday that Newcastle were resolved to offloading Barton, the paper is now reporting: ‘Joey Barton has been offered an olive branch by Newcastle United but a potential truce comes at a price. The midfielder has received a lawyer’s letter informing him that he will be in breach of contract if he uses his Twitter account to comment on club affairs in future.’ Every Toon player has been issued with the missive, but it has been interpreted as a sign that Newcastle are trying to sort a compromise that will end with Barton staying. Pragmatism rules: ‘Manchester United are one of number of clubs who have, so far at least, passed up on the opportunity to sign Barton. though the midfielder may still depart before the transfer deadline, the lack of takers means he and Newcastle may be stuck with each other.’ COLE TO MOVE ABROAD? Talk of Joe Cole moving to QPR has gone noticeably quieter by the day this week and the latest we’re reading in The Sun is that the Player who is Better than Messi is ‘a target for Paris St Germain’. According to them, both Cole and Berba are targets for the newly-rich PSG, and Cole has ‘has told pals he is ready to accept a move abroad if a switch to a top Premier League club does not come off. ‘Spurs are keen, but boss Harry Redknapp must unload a few players before he can buy.’ STOKE HAVE a LONG LIST OF TARGETS Sounds as if Stoke are beginning to take themselves seriously. The Daily Mail reckons the club have ‘joined the chase for Scott Parker after making an enquiry for the West Ham midfielder’ and that: ‘Stoke manager Tony Pulis wants five new signings for his side and has designs on Tottenham’s Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios, Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner and Birmingham duo Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome.’ The problem, however, will be Stoke’s wage structure. according to the Mail, Kenwyne Jones is reputedly their top earner on around £40,000 per week. did you know that Bendtner supposedly changed his shirt number last summer to 52 in recognition of his new £52k-a-week contract? Footballers. such wags. TEVEZ AND ETO’O SWAP? YES, THIS AGAIN The Daily Mirror obviously have a bit of space to fill this morning, for we’ve seen this story a good few times before. The paper reports that a swap deal involving Carlos Tevez and Samuel Eto’o has ‘edged closer’ after a row between the Inter man and Gian Piero Gasperini. The paper claims: ‘The Serie a side stated Eto’o was not for sale as they turned down a huge recent offer from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. ‘But now a training ground bust-up between the former Barcelona star and coach Gian Piero Gasperini in the build-up to the weekend’s Italian Super Cup match has thrown the 30-year-old’s future into doubt. ‘The row is understood to be over the role Gasperini wants Eto’o to play in his preferred 3-4-3 formation. ‘Eto’o immediately demanded talks with Inter president Massimo Moratti to discuss a transfer.’ We know this is a fairly obvious statement, but that chap really is on a hair-trigger, isn’t he? SWP IN DEMAND It seems that even if Manchester City don’t want Shaun Wright-Phillips, a few do. The Daily Mirror reports that Bolton are looking to buy the wee man, but can’t pay very much for him. The paper claims: ‘Coyle has been told by City that their out-of-favour winger will be sold rather than loaned and is trying to negotiate a low price that would help him to afford the England international’s wages.’ Meanwhile, The Daily Express reports that Sunderland want to take SWP on loan, as a replacement for the departed Steed Malbranque. AND THE REST… West Brom are weighing up a club record bid of £7m for Reading striker Shane Long…West Ham have made a £2million bid for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard…Blackburn have slapped a £12m price tag on defender Chris Samba with Arsenal and Spurs both interested…Newcastle are considering a move for Manchester United’s French winger Gabriel Obertan, who has failed to make an impact since signing for £3m from Bordeaux in 2009…Stoke have joined Spurs and Chelsea in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, who is valued at £8m…Wigan have made a late bid to sign Julio Arca, who has left Middlesbrough…West Ham have had a bid for Nice striker Eric Mouloungui turned down, while the Hammers are also looking at free agent John Carew, Fulham’s Andrew Johnson and Newcastle keeper Fraser…ADO Den Haag have told Rangers they will not consider a new £1.5million bid for Wesley Verhoek until Monday at the earliest.