[news.bbc.co.uk]

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis will meet Barcelona officials on Friday over the future of Cesc Fabregas.

BBC Sport has learned that the Gunners are yet to receive a second bid beyond the £27m Barca offered last month.

But the club are prepared to sell their 24-year-old skipper if the Spanish giants meet their £40m valuation.

Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke will not take part in the talks having flown home to the US after a visit to the Emirates on Thursday.

Fabregas has been linked with a move back to the Nou Camp, where he started his career as a 10-year-old in the academy, for the past two summers.

The Spanish international was even forced to wear a Barca shirt by his team-mates as the country celebrated winning the World Cup last year.

Fabregas did not take part in Arsenal's pre-season tours to Germany and Asia, with the official reason given that he was recovering from a hamstring injury.

The transfer window does not close until the end of this month, but Barca will be keen to complete a deal before Tuesday 16 August when Arsenal face Udinese in a Champions League play-off.

If Fabregas lines up against the Italian side he will be cup-tied in the competition.

Last month Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola revealed his desire to sign the Arsenal star.

"We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad," he said.

_____________________________________________________________________