Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida says Cesc Fabregas has no intention of returning to Barcelona yet.
Fabregas left the Barcelona youth side at a young age to join Arsenal but has been linked with a move back to his homeland with both Barca and Real Madrid.
However, Merida, who also came up through the youth ranks at Barca, believes there is no chance of Fabregas returning at this stage.
“There have been many rumours about Cesc going to Barca and Madrid, but he is delighted with the project here,” he told El Mundo Deportivo.
“He hasn’t finished at Arsenal yet.”
Asked about the fact Gerard Pique returned to Barca after a spell at Manchester United, Merida replied: “He left then returned and things are going very well for him, but every player has his own path.”
Merida has yet to establish himself in the first-team at Emirates Stadium and, after spending time on loan at Real Sociedad in 2008, there were reports that he could continue with the club.
However, the 19-year-old has revealed that he was ‘honoured’ to hear that Arsene Wenger wanted him to stay and feels he made the right decision.
“When I heard, I spoke to Arsenal to find out their plans,” he said.
“They told me they wanted me to stay, because I would be introduced to the team gradually in the cups and, well, I played two games in The Premier League, three in the League Cup, one in the Champions League.
“It is important, because you see that the club is showing confidence in you and you are taking steps forward in that respect.
“It’s true that the option to stay at Real existed, but we all decided that it was best to stay at Arsenal and I’m happy.”
He added: “You always want to play, but I knew that I was going to be a back-up and that there were players from my level in the first-team.
“For me, the situation is very positive. I’m happy, but there is always room for improvement – that much is clear.
“My intention is to break into the first-team, step by step, but I don’t want to get obsessed.
“Right now I’m very happy, and I want to stay there for many years and be a success. If things were not so good, I would re-examine my life.”