Andoni Zubizarreta believes Cesc Fabregas should stay at Barcelona but will leave it to the player to decide his future.
The sporting director is carrying out a summer of renovation at Camp Nou and with Fabregas a target of fans unrest during home games, it had been suggested he could be on the move.
But Zubi wants Fabregas to stay, according to Mundo Deportivo, and envisions a scenario in which Xavi Hernandez gradually bows out of the starting XI and Fabregas takes his place in midfield.
Fabregas is also valued by Zubi for his versatility, although it is acknowledged that midfield is his long-term position.
But the former Arsenal man has admitted he has been bothered by the negative reception at Camp Nou and there are teams interested in his signature.
Manchester City are named as one and the presence of a number of former Barca higher-ups, including Txiki Begiristain, means the Premier League team would welcome Fabregas’ arrival.
Zubi is understood to have made clear he wants to keep Fabregas but will abide by the player’s decision should he choose to leave the Catalans.
