FC Barcelona’s pursuit of Cesc Fabregas has now gone from ‘informal’ to ‘formal’.

A spokesman of the Catalan club told BBC Sport that negotiations with Arsenal officially began on Tuesday.

“An informal conversation with Arsenal became formal on 1 June and now an official approach has been made to the club,”

The value of Barca’s bid was undisclosed but more to the likelihood of this transfer saga nearing an end, Arsenal FC declined to comment on the matter when contacted.

And the Spanish champions’ spokesman added:

“Before 1 June, under English rules, we could not make an official approach to Arsenal for Fabregas, but that changed on Tuesday.

“I don’t think there is a special advance on, say, the price or anything, but it has moved on now.”

Barca also revealed on their website that club director Raul Sanllehi and technical secretary Txiki Begiristain will direct their negotiations.

What was only speculation over Fabregas’ sale is now reality.

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