Arsenal have given Barcelona 10 days to sign captain Cesc Fabregas and end one of the longest running transfer sagas in history or risk missing out on the midfielder, reports The Guardian.

It seems that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has grown tired and wants the deal done quickly so he has time to replace his midfield lynchpin before the transfer window slams shut on 31st August.

The Frenchman is hopeful he can hang onto Fabregas for at least one more season and insists he’ll be staying at the Emirates if the Spanish giants can’t conclude a deal soon.

He told the Guardian "We know that this story for Barcelona goes on for years now and we have to close that and for ourselves to focus on the season, hopefully with Cesc Fábregas."

Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola stated the club will ‘fight to the end’ to bring their former player home although admitted that signing Fabregas wasn’t his number one priority.

A move for Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez is the Spaniards current focus and a move for Fabregas will have to wait until the that deal is tied up.

Guardiola said: "This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on [it]. Barcelona has made an offer [of £26m], Arsenal another [between £35-40m], and we have time until 31 August and we'll try to reach an agreement.

“There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn't work out it will be kept in the box for something else. We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad."