London, Feb.10 (ANI): Arsenal’s star midfielder and captain, Cesc Fabregas, has struck a verbal agreement with Champions League holders Barcelona to return to the club next season.

A Cadena Ser Radio report citing sources said Tuesday “There is a firm agreement between Barca and Cesc Fabregas even if it is only verbal.”

“Several meetings have taken place and, following those meetings, Cesc told Barca that he wanted to rejoin them from next season,” The Telegraph quoted the radio station as saying further.

Cadena Ser said the deal would be subject to agreeing a fee with Arsenal.

The reigning Spanish champions have neither confirmed nor denied the report.

Fabregas, a 22-year-old Spanish international, is Arsenal’s top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions this season and is under contract with the Gunners until 2014.

But his future has once again been the subject of much speculation this season and media reports have consistently linked him with a return to La Liga.

Those reports said Fabregas would move to either Real Madrid or his boyhood club Barcelona, who he left to join the Gunners in September 2003. (ANI)