Cesc Fábregas targeted by Manchester United in £26m bid

The deal now hinges on whether Barcelona - who purchased the player from Arsenal for €29m in 2011 - are willing to sell. Any indication that they would consider doing so may force Fàbregas's hand as it would be clear that he is not considered central to the plans of Tito Villanova, the Barcelona coach.

Moyes has turned his attention to Fàbregas after missing out on Barcelona's Thiago Alcântara. The Spain Under-21 international opted instead to join his old manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich for £21.6m.

Last month, Fàbregas, the former Arsenal captain, said he wanted to stay at Barcelona. "I've always said that I'm happy at Barça. Whoever says that I'm leaving doesn't know me and has never spoken with me," he said. "Nor with my agent, because he knows that I don't want him to talk with other people about me, Kazinform has learnt from the Guardian.

"I'm very private and I don't even talk about these things with my family. If someone says anything that isn't that I want to play at Barca, it's completely absurd."

If Barcelona decided to accept United's bid or any further offer the midfielder could yet change his mind.