New Barcelona Boss Tells Manchester United To Give Up on Fabregas

New Barcelona head coach Tata Martino has ended Manchester United's hopes of signing Cesc Fabregas, insisting that the club will continue to reject bids for the midfielder.

The Premier League champions have been persistently pursuing the former Arsenal captain in recent weeks and despite having two heavily publicised bids rejected by the Catalan giants for their midfielder, United boss David Moyes has remained hopeful of striking a deal, telling reporters earlier this week that talks were "ongoing."

But in his first press conference since being appointed Tito Vilanova's replacement at the Nou Camp, Martino has dashed United's optimistic hopes of luring Fabregas back to the Premier League, insisting the club will reject any other offers United submit.

"Evidently I'm not going to talk about the financial interests of the club but if the club have turned down United's offers two times in this case I add a third rejection," Martino told reporters.

"So we are keeping him here."

Martino, who was appointed the new boss after Vilanova was forced to resign due to health concerns, echoed the sentiments of the club's vice-president Josep Maria Bartoumeu, who also insisted Fabregas will remain with the La Liga champions.

"Whatever offer United make, however big, we will say no. Cesc Fabregas will still be a Barcelona player," Bartoumeu added.

"That United shows interest in Cesc Fabregas is normal. He is a truly great player. It doesn't annoy us. It gives us pride to have such a good player in our team that Untied want him because they are a great club.

"But whatever offer arrives from them we are not going to sell Cesc Fabregas. We are counting on him."

United have had bids of £26m and £30m plus add ons swatted away by the Barcelona, who lost midfielder Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich earlier in the summer.

Former and current team-mates of Fabregas have been dubious of United's ambitious efforts to sign the Spain international and Barcelona's latest comments are likely to force United to consider other options with the club yet to make a summer signing three weeks away from the new season.