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Manchester City join United in hunt for ex-Arsenal ace Cesc Fabregas
MANCHESTER UNITED face competition from local rivals City in their attempts to bring Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas back to England this summer.
Manchester City have been alerted to the availability of former Arsenal captain Fabregas, as Manchester United boss David Moyes made the Spaniard his top transfer target.
Incoming Citizens manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed yesterday he has a 'verbal agreement' in place to take charge at the Etihad Stadium, and is also keen to sign the La Liga star.
Premier League champions United are the frontrunners to bring Fabregas back to these shores, despite Arsenal holding first option on the 26-year-old as part of the £30 million deal that saw him sold to Barcelona two years ago.
It has been reported that Moyes tried to secure the Catalan playmaker on loan during his early days at the Gunners, but the Scot is making other plans in the event that he cannot sign him for a second time.
Real Madrid's Luka Modric is a £24m option, while Fabregas' team-mate Thiago Alcantara could be brought in for £15m. Everton's Belgian star Marouane Fellaini is on Moyes' wish list, but recently claimed he would be staying at Goodison Park.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini's bid to add further talent to City's midfield appears more likely through former Malaga charge Isco, as it is yet to be known whether Fabregas would be keen on a move to the Sky Blues.