The Premier League champions want to bring the Barcelona midfielder back to England in light speculation surrounding Yaya Toure’s future, but Arsenal are also in the race

By Wayne Veysey

Manchester City are preparing to table a €37 million offer for Cesc Fabregas amid interest from his former club Arsenal, Goal understands.

The Premier League champions have decided to make a formal move for the Barcelona midfielder, who has been told he can leave Camp Nou this summer.

City are ready to bid imminently for Fabregas in an attempt to lure the 27-year-old back to the Premier League, while Goal also understands Arsenal have not ruled out a move for their former captain, with the Gunners closely monitoring his situation.

The Londoners are preparing to put together a package to compete with City in the race for the midfielder, who remains on good terms with manager Arsene Wenger despite effectively going on strike to force through his transfer to Barcelona in 2011.

There is also interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, who are in the market for a central midfielder after Frank Lampard confirmed he is leaving the club.

Goal revealed in May that Barcelona would listen to offers for Fabregas this summer as they looked to free up funds to reshape their midfield.

Barca and their new coach Luis Enrique are looking to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke and have told Fabregas he can find a new club.

Under the terms of the buy-back clause in Fabregas’ Barcelona contract, the Catalan club would have to inform Arsenal of any bid for the player and give them the opportunity to match it.

City are ready to make the first move for Fabregas amid growing uncertainty over the future of Yaya Toure, who has made it clear he is not entirely happy at the Etihad Stadium.

Wenger also remains a huge admirer of Fabregas and is weighing up a move for his former protege despite appearing to have a wealth of technically adept attacking midfielders in his squad. The pair spoke regularly on the phone last summer about the Spain international returning to the club where he blossomed into one of Europe’s outstanding young midfielders.

The Barca academy graduate is at a crossroads in his career as he enters the final two years of his contract with the Catalan club in July.

Fabregas was jeered by home supporters during Barcelona’s 2-1 home victory over Athletic Bilbao in April and became a scapegoat towards the end of last season.

There were no surprises in Nigeria’s selection for Brazil, with the likes of Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Echiejile making the cut

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has named his 23-man squad players for the World Cup in Brazil.

The Africa Cup of Nations champions will be making their fifth appearance at world football’s major showpiece and have been drawn in the same group with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia.

Experienced names such as Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Joseph Yobo and Elderson Echiejile who were part of the squad to South Africa 2010 made the final list and will look to make amends for their group stage exit in their last outing.

Top scorer of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations, Emmanuel Emenike, Godfrey Oboabona, John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses will be expected to make their World Cup debut when the championship kicks off.

There are three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and seven strikers.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim

Defenders: Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Kunle Odunlami

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel

Strikers: Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor

The England left-back joined fellow defender Jose Fonte in showing his gratitude to the 32-year-old striker on Instagram as his move to Liverpool was announced

Luke Shaw has heaped praise on departing Southampton team-mate Rickie Lambert after the striker’s move to boyhood club Liverpool was confirmed.

Full-back Shaw took to social networking site Instagram to praise Lambert’s contribution to Southampton’s rise from League One to eighth in the Premier League.

And the 18-year-old revealed he hopes his fellow England World Cup squad member can continue his fine form of recent years at Anfield.

“So happy for Lambo, he deserves everything he gets. Been a massive part of Southampton’s recent success, his dream really is coming true and I wish him all the best and success in his new journey. Thanks for everything,” he wrote alongside a picture of he and the 32-year-old celebrating during the 2013-14 season.

Shaw wasn’t the only member of the Southampton squad to show his gratitude to Lambert, with defender Jose Fonte also wishing him the best of luck on what the striker has described as a dream move.

“Mixed emotions!!! So sad to see you go but also happy you achieved one of your dreams!! We had many great moments together that I will never forget!! We got where we got mostly because all your goals!! Thanks for everything and I know you will keep scoring and stepping it up!!” he wrote on his Instagram.

Lambert is the first player to leave St Mary’s this summer, though with Adam Lallana also interesting Brendan Rodgers and Shaw on Manchester United’s radar, he may not be the last.