Iniesta and Pique convinced that Cesc Fabregas will stay at Barcelona

Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique pose for a photograph at the end of a press conference at the Okura hotel in Bangkok yesterday. Barca will play an exhibition match with Thailand’s national team at the Rajamangala National Stadium August 7. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images)

Cesc Fabregas has been the subject of reported interest from Premier League champions Manchester United through the summer. But, barring the player himself, we have seen team-mates, manager and others connected to FC Barcelona come out and state that the Barca midfielder is not for sale and that he would indeed continue to be a Barca player come the start of the season.

Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta have now added further doubt on United’s ability to land the talented midfielder as they continued to tow the same line, according to reports by Sport. The duo was speaking to reporters after landing in Thailand as part of their pre-season preparation.

“Being as good a player as he is, it’s normal that clubs will make offers for him, but he has always told me that he wants to stay at Barcelona and triumph here,” Pique told a press conference.

The defender added: “That’s always been his dream and I’m very happy that he’s staying. I think he’s never been in doubt.”

Iniesta reiterated Pique’s comments, even going as far as calling his midfield comrade an “indispensable” part of the team.

“He is indispensable, like everyone else in the squad,” said Iniesta.

“He’s fundamental to this team, he has performed very well for us so far and is going to do the same again next season.”

English champions Manchester United have been hot on the trail of the Spanish midfielder as new manager David Moyes looks to bolster a weak midfield.

But they have already had two bids rejected by the Catalan giants and look to be fighting a losing battle as Barca’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta revealed on Sunday that United had given up on their pursuit of the 26-year-old midfielder.