Fabregas says No to Real move and stays at Arsenal

After a meeting with Arsene Wenger on Wednesday, Fabregas decided to reject the advances of the La Liga champions and informed the Spanish club's president Ramon Calderon yesterday.

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On his conversation with Calderon and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic, Fabregas said: "I have talked with them because they seem to me like spectacular people and they made a great effort to get me to sign.

"It was a very difficult decision for me but with Thierry Henry leaving, I feel that I can't leave the club that has done so much for me. I have a great responsibility this season and I can't wait to get started and try to win things.

"It made me very excited that a club as big as Madrid were interested in me and that made it a very difficult decision. It's a chance that doesn't come around very often but I am only 20 and I have to keep improving and I want to do that at Arsenal."

Addressing fears that Wenger may not commit himself to the north London club beyond next summer, when his contract ends, Fabregas added: "I have every confidence that the manager will sign a new deal."

Fabregas' decision will no doubt have delighted Wenger and so will the news that Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins will hold showdown talks with boss Sam Allardyce today that could lead to his move to Arsenal.

The forward's head has been turned by interest from Wenger and he has told friends he is keen on a move to the capital. News that the 22-year-old Nigerian has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if an offer of £13million is tabled has increased the likelihood of his departure.

Wenger tentatively enquired about him at the end of last season, believing the striker could replace Henry. Martins is aware of his increased earnings potential if he can orchestrate a transfer to London.

He is keen to move into the £100,000-aweek bracket that only Michael Owen can demand at St James' Park.

Meanwhile, Arsenal yesterday completed the £7.5m transfer of Auxerre defender Bacary Sagna.

The 24-year-old, who has signed a five-year deal at the Emirates worth £25,000 a week and will wear the No 3 shirt vacated by Ashley Cole following his acrimonious departure to Chelsea last summer, revealed that the chance to work with Wenger and link up with some former team-mates had convinced him to join Arsenal.

"He (Wenger) showed his determination when he wanted to attract me to the club when we spoke recently," said Sagna. "The fact that he personally contacted me recently, the fact that this is such a big club and he has made so much effort to recruit me, it has seduced me.

"I'm excited to play alongside many great players. I know Abou Diaby from our time at Auxerre and also Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini from the French Under 21 team."

Sagna, whose fee could rise by a further £1.3m based on performances, is most at home at right back having been voted the best player in France in that position last season.

However, he can play across the back four or even as a defensive midfielder. Sagna's capture follows that of striker Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb for £8m last week, while Wenger has also landed defender Havard Nordtveit and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

The arrival of Sagna is likely to see Emmanuel Eboue pushed into right midfield with Freddie Ljungberg tipped to leave Arsenal for Fiorentina.

In addition, Sagna's capture is sure to raise questions over the future of Justin Hoyte, who has attracted interest from Reading, even though Arsenal are set to be without cover at right back when Eboue departs for the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast next January.