Fabregas had Arsenal return clause but Wenger snubbed move due to four stars

Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011 but was looking for a return to the Premier League just three years later, only for Arsene Wenger to opt against bringing him back

Cecs Fabregas has revealed that Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to bring him back for a second spell at Arsenal.

In his first spell at Emirates Stadium, the midfielder rose through the ranks to become a vital first-teamer and Gunners captain. But he departed for Barcelona in 2011 after a series of disappointing seasons for Wenger's side.

He went as far as contacting Arsenal about the possibility of returning, with the Gunners holding an option of first refusal. But the Spaniard has revealed that Wenger opted to turn that chance down.

Instead, the then-Gunners boss was happy to rely on the quartet of Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey in midfield. It was a decision that Fabregas has admitted left him disappointed.

"I really wanted to go back to the Premier League. In the contract when I signed for Barcelona, we said that, after I leave, Arsenal will have the first option. They had a week to respond,"