Chelsea Close To Completing Shock Move for Cesc Fabregas to Replace New York City-Bound Lampard

Chelsea are reportedly close to completing a deal to sign Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas to replace Frank Lampard, who is set to sign a deal with New York City after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired.

Despite Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently claiming that Fabregas is not for sale, reports in Spain claim the Catalans have offered his services to a number of Premier League clubs with their asking price set at £30m.

While Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with his services, Arsene Wenger's side looked the favourites to re-sign Fabregas - given a clause they agreed with Barcelona in 2011 which forces the Catalans to inform them if they receive a bid for the midfielder, allowing the Gunners to match such a bid.

However, Catalan-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim the former Arsenal favourite is close to completing his move to Chelsea, rather than returning to the Emirates Stadium.

The Spanish newspaper claimed in Monday's print edition that Fabregas have already decided to leave Barcelona this summer, while a subsequent story on their website from one of the most reliable journalists regarding Barcelona in Miguel Rico explains Chelsea will probably be his next destination.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Lampard has already agreed terms to join New York City this summer alongside Spanish legend David Villa and Jose Mourinho believes Fabregas would be his perfect replacement.

The 27-year-old left the Gunners in 2011 to re-join his boyhood club Barcelona but after struggling to make the impact expected the Catalans are ready to part ways with him in order to generate funds needed before they can embark on their own spending spree.

Fabregas' agent David Dein has reportedly met with a number of Premier League clubs during the last couple of weeks and according to Mundo Deportivo he is likely to move to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, on Sunday Fabregas was spotted in London, sparking more rumours about his Premier League return.