Barca ready to welcome Fabregas

Barcelona's players believe Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will be joining them at the Nou Camp sooner rather than later.

Although the transfer has yet to be completed, news from the Catalan capital indicates it will be done soon. Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes a deal to bring Fabregas back to the club is close, eight years after he departed as a youth player to join Arsenal.

When asked at a press conference if the arrival of Fabregas was imminent, Valdes was quoted as saying by AS: "I hope so yes, and if the news is confirmed it will be great news, above all for one person, a friend, and the Barcelona fans."

He added: "I'm not disclosing anything, but as you know it is advanced, and although it is not official it will surely be closed very soon."

Asked if he could imagine a Barcelona without Fabregas next season, the goalkeeper added: "I can't imagine it. I think that the news is almost confirmed and he will surely come, but anything could happen.

"I think that it will be confirmed and I'm very happy."

Barcelona's central defensive pair Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique took to Twitter on Friday afternoon to welcome their Spain colleague back to the Nou Camp.

Captain Puyol posted: "Welcome home!!! Happy to have you here @cesc4official ooohhhh."

Pique tweeted: "@cesc4official. Now we have him here!"

Fabregas has been omitted from the Arsenal squad for Saturday evening's match at Newcastle.