By JOHN EDWARDS
Manchester United and Manchester City are competing to bring Cesc Fabregas back to the Barclays Premier League next season.
New United manager David Moyes is considering a bid for the £25million-rated midfielder after being made aware of Barcelona’s willingness to sell the former Arsenal skipper.
But in an intriguing sub-plot, City have been notified of the Spain midfielder’s availability, and are also interested.
Arsenal have first option, as part of the deal that took Fabregas to the Nou Camp, but Moyes is a long-time admirer of the 26-year-old and even made efforts to take him to Everton on loan during Fabregas’ early days at Arsenal.
He may have better luck at the second attempt after identifying central midfield as United’s relative weakness and weighing up possible moves for Fabregas, his Barcelona team-mate Thiago Alcantara and PSV Eindhoven skipper Kevin Strootman.
Holland midfielder Strootman, 23, is a tall, commanding figure who can operate in a holding role or as a deep-lying playmaker.
He has been under review at Old Trafford for months.
Outgoing Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini is poised to take over at City in the coming weeks and the Chilean is keen on bringing emerging La Liga talent Isco with him to England.
The deposed champions are also hoping to land Isco’s and Fabregas’ Spanish countryman Jesus Navas.
Pellegrini, who will replace the sacked Roberto Mancini, has ordered a big-money bid for Sevilla’s flying winger.
But Pellegrini must fight off interest from Real Madrid for both Isco, 21, and Navas, 27, to bolster his attacking options.
