Cesc Fabregas has spoken candidly about leaving Arsenal and how his departure caused Arsene Wenger to decline the opportunity to re-sign him prior to his move to Chelsea.
At the age of 16, Fabregas left the Barca academy to sign with the Gunners. He later rose to fame among Arsenal supporters and was named club captain.
He decided to resign from the first team after eight seasons and join his old team, which started a trend of star players leaving Wenger's squad.
Despite appearing frequently at the Nou Camp, Fabregas was never able to make the same impact, and just three years later, the Catalan club looked to sell him.
The midfielder asked Arsenal to take him back to the Premier League because he wanted to play there again.
Wenger had the right of first refusal, but the midfielder ultimately chose to join London rivals Chelsea after Wenger turned down his request.
The 35-year-old said during an interview with Kammy and Ben for their Proper Football Podcast: 'I really wanted to go back to the Premier League.
'In the contract when I signed for Barcelona we said that, after I leave, Arsenal will have the first option. They had a week to respond. So obviously we approached Arsenal, we said "listen I'm leaving Barcelona and by law, you have a week to decide if you want to take me back or not."
'For a week I couldn't talk to anyone (else). We noticed (sic) Arsenal, Arsene, everyone, so after a week we called Arsene and he said he'd thought about it and he said they already had a lot of players in my position like Mesut Ozil... Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and he said to fit me in he would have to play someone out and this could create, you know... I think also he was a little bit hurt... by how I left and everything.
'I don't hold anything bad because it's their right, their decision and they could do what they wanted.'
'I had a few options and one of them was Chelsea. I spoke to Mourinho, I met him. He told me things that were very nice to hear. He wanted me to be the leader of that team. It just felt right.'
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