Gerard Pique: Cesc Fabregas is only thinking about the World Cup

Long-time admirers Barcelona last week tabled a 35million euro bid for Fabregas, who has also stated his desire to return to the club where he learned his trade as a youngster before moving to Arsenal seven years ago.

However, Arsenal are keen to keep hold of their prize asset, who is under contract until 2015, and as well as rejecting Barca's offer stated they have no intention of selling the 23-year-old midfielder.

Fabregas' future is now almost a daily debate in both Spain and England, but, according to Barca defender Pique, the player himself is refusing to let all the speculation distract him from what is now his main goal - the World Cup.

"Cesc is very focused on the World Cup and the national team. He knows his future is being decided, but he's calm because it is others who have to resolve his trasfer to Barca," said Pique, who nevertheless would like to see Fabregas join him at the Nou Camp next season.

"I'm keen (for Fabregas to join for Barca), he's a friend and also a great footballer. I have the fortune of being able to enjoy his company in the national team and it would be a pleasure to enjoy it everyday at Barca as well."

Like Fabregas, Pique also came up through the youth ranks at Barca before being lured away to the English Premier League, in the defender's case by Manchester United.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson allowed Pique to return to Barca two years ago and he has since established himself as one of the leading centre-backs in the game, but the 23-year-old insists his situation when leaving Old Trafford cannot be compared to the one Fabregas now finds himself in.

"They are different situations. Cesc is more important at Arsenal than I was at Manchester United. I didn't play as much as I would have liked and in this case it was easier to open the door for me to leave. You can understand Arsenal and the situation of (Arsene) Wenger," Pique said in El Mundo Deportivo.

Pique was also asked about the future of Barca team-mate Yaya Toure, who looks to be on his way out of the Primera Division champions.

According to Toure's agent last week, the Ivory Coast international has already signed a deal with a Barclays Premier League club.

Pique said of the possibility of Toure going: "They are only rumours, the same as it is every summer before there's anything concrete, like in the case of Cesc or (reported Barca target Juan) Mata.

"I can't say much, only that I hope he stays because he is a great player. I'm not involved in these situations, we'll see what happens. He must resolve it with the club and his agent."