The Cesc Saga comes to an end ... finally

Cesc Fabregas will tomorrow undergo his medical at the Nou Camp as he puts pen to paper on a five year contract that will see one of the longest running 'will he wont he' sagas come to end. Fabregas, 24, left La Masia at the beginning of the 2003 season seeing opportunities at the Nou Camp limited with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta ahead of him in the queue. At the age of 16, he became the youngest ever first team player for Arsenal, the youngest goalscorer a few months later.

8 years have passed and Fabregas has firmly established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the World. Last season he finished 2nd behind Florent Malouda (Chelsea, 117 from 2810 mins) in the number of chances created in Premier League games with 72 from 1887 mins, ahead of the likes of Ryan Giggs, Nani and Raphael Van Der Vaart. In the last 5 season he comes 1st with 486 chances ahead of Xavi (455), Lampard (452) and Gerrard (396). It is easy to see why his ability to assist the strikers, alongside  his goals and leaderships skills have made him so sought after.

For the past 4 seasons the Catalans have tried to bring Fabregas back to the Nou Camp but proceedings really picked up last season with Barce encouraging the player to force the move through. Arsenal stood firm on their want to hold onto him despite being offered £40 million. Fabregas decided against forcing the move seeking assurances from Arsene Wenger that the squad would be strengthened to challenge for the domestic crown. It seems that this Summer however Fabregas had had enough and wanted out wanting to return home and play alongside some of his best friends; Gerard Pique and Victor Valdes in particular.

The real shift this season has been the increased role of Pep Guardiola in proceedings. As a player Guardiola was very much the prototype of the modern midfielder; technically gifted, balanced and an immaculate passer of the ball. He was at the heart of Johan Cruyff's side and as a youngster Fabregas idolised him. Some have suggested that Fabregas will become nothing more than the World's most expensive sub waiting behind Xavi and Iniesta for his chance, but this is simply wrong. The Barce squad last season, inspite doing the double was stretched with no more than 15 players playing the entire season. He'll play in rotation with the other two, allowing everyone time to recover and giving Guardiola options.

In 2001, when Fabregas was going through the pain of his parents' divorce, Guardiola signed his number four shirt and handed it to Cesc and on it it said 'one day you will be the number four of Barcelona' and it appears that that day has finally arrived.