Claims that Arsenal and Barcelona have reached a secret deal about the future of Cesc Fabrgeas appear to be a new low in the Spanish side's chase for the player.
According to El Mundo Deportivo discussions between the two parties are so far advanced the transfer could be concluded by the end of the week.
On the face of it, this seems to be the biggest load of rubbish to emerge yet. Arsenal have denied the player is for sale and recently even Barca players have admitted they don't expect Fabregas to join them this season.
However, given the fact that the newspaper also states the Spanish club is acting with "extreme discretion" and the side is convinced their showing any public interest in the player would weaken their negotiating position, the whole thing seems laughable.
It also looks like another desperate attempt to upset a player who was, and possibly still is, completely happy at his current club. The best odds for Premier League games suggest this season will be very competitive, and we need a settled squad.
If the story isn't a complete work of fiction, there are very few places this story could have come from and the most likely seems to be a Barcelona insider.
However, if they are as close to landing their man as they suggest, why would they blow their chances by making it public?
It could just be paper talk or, worse, it could be another attempt to prise Fabregas from London through fair means or foul.
After all, the club have already had their players angling with for his signature, so would it be too much of a surprise if they'd decide to use a newspaper too?
A few words in the right ear are all it would need to lead major headlines and get Cesc thinking, and, if the story turns out to be untrue, the unnamed source gets none of the flack.
The lastest football betting odds suggest that if the player does decide to leave, Barca will be his destination, but that doesn't mean he will go.
Of course, the story would be entirely true but I have a feeling Fabregas will still be an Arsenal player come the weekend.
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