Cesc Fabregas maintains he has everything he wants at Arsenal and is not considering a move back to Spain, despite being coveted by some of his country’s biggest clubs.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been in superb form this season, scoring 11 goals to help the Gunners storm d to the top of the Premiership and into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Fabregas came through the youth ranks at Barcelona before heading to Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16.
Since then, the combative Spaniard has gone on to become an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s side and is now rated as one of the best in his position.
However, he continues to be linked with a big-money move back to his homeland.
The midfielder is currently away on international duty ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Sweden and Northern Ireland, but declared his intention to rebuff any interest which may come his way from the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid.
"I am not even thinking about returning to Spain," Fabregas said. "I do not even listen to the offers that come in for me because I do not need anything that I haven’t already got at Arsenal.
"And it’s nothing to do with money – if it was I would have gone to Real Madrid last summer.
"I am not moved by money, I am moved by football."
Fabregas added: "I am playing and I am happy. Being a Gunner is very special, something that I am proud of.
"This is a small club on the inside, like a family, but it’s huge on the outside."
Fabregas will miss Arsenal’s next match after collecting his fifth caution during the win at Reading on Monday night.
The midfielder believes a new ‘relaxed’ approach to the game has helped him focus this season.
"I think I’m playing the same as ever but the ball is going in for me, which makes it look like I am playing better," Fabregas explained.
"I was getting in front of goal and being hasty – but one day Mr Wenger told me to relax and now I take my time."
Fabregas is one of several youngsters to have emerged from the shadow of talisman Thierry Henry this season, the former Gunners captain having left for the Nou Camp during the summer.
The midfielder accepts the brilliant Frenchman was a tough act to follow.
"Thierry Henry is the best player in Arsenal’s history and that’s why people panicked when he left. It was like having to mature all of a sudden, a wake-up call," Fabregas said.
"He was like an umbrella that we hid beneath and when he went, we were forced to step forward and take responsibility."