Cesc Fabregas wearing the shirt of suitors Barcelona had been played down by his father.

The Arsenal skipper was ambushed by international team-mates Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique during Spain's World Cup celebrations.

The Barca defenders forced the shirt of the Spanish giants onto the embarrassed midfielder while on stage in Madrid to reignite the speculation surrounding his future.

Fabregas, who came through the youth ranks at the Catalan club before leaving to join Arsenal seven years ago, reportedly told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger of his desire to return after Barcelona had an initial bid rejected before the World Cup.

The 23-year-old has since remained silent on his future and father, Francesc Fabregas, has urged people not to read too much into the shirt incident.

He told Spanish radio:"It was a day of celebration and anything goes. If anyone misinterprets it, they have to see that it was part of a celebration.

"Cesc has it very clear what Arsenal has been and is for him. He is super grateful to them and it has never crossed his mind to do something wrong towards them.

"Cesc said what he wanted to do (join Barcelona) the day after the end of the league so that Arsenal had time to react.

"It would have been nasty to say it today, when they are almost on the verge of starting the pre-season.

"But he always did so thinking about Arsenal. It remains to be seen how everything turns out."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email