Arsenal 'offered Eric Abidal or Maxwell' in Cesc Fabregas deal

The Gunners are not budging on their £40million valuation of their captain, and with Barca also seemingly determined not to pay over £32million, a player exchange is on the cards.

Spanish reports suggest French left-back Abidal has rejected a new contract offer with the Catalan giants, and with only a year left to run on his current deal, he could be used as a makeweight in the Fabregas transfer.

Abidal perfectly fits the mould of a replacement for Gael Clichy, who joined Manchester City, but the 31-year-old is a popular figure at the Nou Camp, and it’s likely Barca will return with an improved contract offer.

That leave the more realistic option of Maxwell, 29, being offered as an alternative 'carrot' to be dangled in front of the Gunners.
However, Wenger is unlikely to be tempted into accepting the much-maligned Brazilian in any kind of swap.