Real signal their interest in Fabregas

Real Madrid have confirmed their interest in signing Arsenal youngster Cesc Fabregas but the in-form midfielder is determined to repay coach Arsene Wenger for his faith in the Highbury kids.

Fabregas was outstanding in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool- setting up Thierry Henry’s 21st-minute opener with a slide-rule pass.

Now Madrid president Fernando Martin says the club, turfed out of the Champions League last week by Arsenal, would be interested in landing Fabregas.

Madrid were impressed with the former Barcelona trainee over the two legs and Martin, who replaced Florentino Perez as president last month, admits Fabregas is just the type of player he wants to attract to the club.

"He (Cesc) is a very good player," he told Spanish local television station TeleMadrid. "He is young, with potential, desire and a big future. That is the kind of player we must sign. He fulfils the requirements of what Real Madrid needs."

But Fabregas is in no mood to quit Arsenal before he has fully repaid the faith shown in him and the club’s other young stars by Wenger.

"The team is getting better and better," said Fabregas. "We still have a lot to improve but we are working very hard. The attitude is very good. Every player is doing really well and we have a lot of confidence. But we need to keep learning and play the same way.

"When you are young and you play alongside players like Thierry Henry and Gilberto, it always helps you because they have so much experience. Arsene Wenger is a great manager who is always doing positive things for the youngsters.

"It is not easy for the boss to put so many youngsters in the first XI, it is a risk as well because you don’t know if we will have enough experience to play against a team like Real Madrid. He has given us confidence and we have to take it and pay him back for what he is doing for us. I think we are doing well."

Fabregas also insists that it is vital Arsenal clinch a top four spot this season in order to make sure they qualify for the Champions League again next term.

The win over Liverpool moved them to within two points of Tottenham in fourth place and Fabregas added: "Fourth place is very important and we have to make sure that next year we are in the Champions League.

"It was really important we beat Liverpool because we are confident we can catch them. We are getting the confidence we lacked in the middle of the season. The team is improving a lot and we have to keep going."