David Moyes Hopes for Good News in Cesc Fabregas Transfer Race

David Moyes has confirmed negotiations to sign Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona have begun. Speaking from Sydney, where Manchester United are on their pre-season Asia Tour, the new United boss told reporters the club's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was handling talks personally.

"I couldn't tell you exactly. I'll hopefully know a little more in the next day or so. We're trying very hard to make some additions to the squad and hopefully there'll be some good news in the not too distant future," the Scot explained.

The Premier League champions are believed to have tabled a €30m bid for the 26-year-old Spain international, according to Spanish newspaper AS. Fabregas left Arsenal for his boyhood club two years ago and his time at the Nou Camp has been mixed. He did start 30 La Liga games last season, scoring and creating 11 goals each.

However, he found himself on the bench for critical games, with Tito Vilanova appearing to prefer compatriots Pedro and Andres Iniesta as partners to Lionel Messi up front.

Fabregas was benched for the first legs of the club's Champions League quarter-final and semi-final, against Paris St Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich respectively. He was also benched for the second leg of the first knock-out round against AC Milan and the Clásico at the Nou Camp in March.

Despite the rumours, the midfielder remains certain he will succeed in Catalunya and his former manager, Arsene Wenger, feels the same. Asked if his protégé would consider a return to the Premier League, the Gunners' manager replied Fabregas had "decided to stay one more year at Barcelona". He also said, "We have the clause in the contract so we would be on alert but, at the moment, that's not something we're after."

And speaking in June, Fabregas said, "People talk a lot but the truth is no one has spoken with me. I want to triumph in Barcelona. I dreamed of playing there, so I will try and succeed for as long as I can."

Meanwhile, Moyes has been warned by Wenger that any approach for Fabregas will be swiftly rebutted by Arsenal. According to the Independent, there is a clause that allows the north London side to gain first refusal for Fabregas' services, for £25m.