Fabregas dedicates World Cup win to Arsenal

Has Cesc Fabregas finally come to his senses and realised there's no place like home when home is the Emirates Stadium? Following Spain's 1-0 defeat of Holland in the World Cup final, the 23-year-old Arsenal captain dedicated the win to the Premier League club in what appeared to be an unequivocal message to Barcelona, the club trying to lure him from London: "All I can say is that this World Cup victory is for all the Arsenal players and fans, they are a world-class club," declared Fabregas. If that wasn't enough to make the Gunners' faithful purr, Fabregas then tickled them under the chin by proclaiming: "I am an Arsenal player and proud to be."

One of the first to congratulate Fabregas was his manager, Arsene Wenger, who sent a text to his midfield maestro minutes after the final whistle. "I had a text from Arsene Wenger. He said 'Congratulations, you deserve it'," Fabregas revealed. "I replied 'Thank you very much' and told him this is for the whole of Arsenal Football Club, who have helped me get where I am today."

Back in Spain, Fabregas was the victim of a cruel practical joke when three of his Spain teammates assaulted him in what one can only presume passes for Spanish humour. During a presentation in front of the television cameras, Fabregas has his arms pinioned by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol as another Barca player, Gerard Pique, pulled a club shirt over his head. Far from going along with the puerile prank, Fabregas shrugged off the shirt with the same determination he showed in avoiding the hatchet challenges of the Dutch on Sunday night. And with Arsene Wenger having refused to meet with Barcelona club president Sandro Rosell in South Africa to discuss Fabregas's future, one can only wonder what Arsenal and Fabregas have to do to get the following message across to the crazy Catalans – back off!

But while Fabregas looks set to return to the Emirates for the new season, it appears Arsenal have failed in their bid to entice German sensation Mesut Ozil to the club. The 21-year-old, one of the stars of the World Cup, has stated his intention to remain at Werder Bremen despite interest from Arsenal and Manchester United. "Bremen want me to fulfil my contract and so do I," Ozil said in an interview with German rag Bild. "I have always said that I want to fulfil my contract, for me that is the natural thing to do." So desperate are Werder Bremen too hang on to Ozil, the club are said to be amassing funds in order to offer him a lucrative deal when his contract expires in a year's time.

From one midfielder who shone at the World Cup to one that didn't - Steven Gerrard. It seems the Liverpool skipper is set to remain at Anfield after Real Madrid scotched reports that they were interested in signing him. Jose Mourinho was once a fan of the player but the club's transfer consultant Ernesto Bronzetti has ruled out a move for the Liverpool captain because he is too old and too expensive.

Another player staying at Liverpool is likely to be Fernando Torres, who capped a pretty dismal World Cup campaign by injuring his groin in the final - despite having spent most of the match warming up.

He could be out for up to two months, meaning he will still be crocked when the transfer window shuts thus putting the kybosh on Chelsea's pursuit of the player - after all they wouldn't want another Andriy Shevchenko on their hands.

But one player who could be off is Javier Mascherano. He has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and a reunion with former boss Rafa Benitez. And the Argentinian dropped a big hint he could leave for European champions Inter Milan, saying "to be linked to Inter has a magical taste... it's a dream."

The words 'pot', 'kettle' and 'black' spring to mind with the news that Manchester City have told clubs to stop making approaches to their talented 23-year-old goalkeeper Joe Hart, City, who spend most of their time throwing themselves at any player with a foreign accent who knows how to kick a ball, have suddenly got all prudish about Hart. The Daily Mail reports that Fulham are interested in Hart but have been told in no uncertain terms that he's not going anywhere, either permanently or even on loan. Fulham are said to be looking for a replacement for Mark Schwarzer, now that he's off to Arsenal.

Italian paper Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Mario Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, will soon be on a plane to England to discuss the future of his player, and it appears to come down to a straight shootout between the two Manchester clubs. Apparently, Raiola will meet directors from both United and City before deciding which one to chose, although Inter won't let the 19-year-old striker go for anything under £30m.

Finally, the Sun reports that West Ham have bid £12m for Nice striker Loic Remy, a record amount for the East End club. The 23-year-old Remy scored 14 goals last season in the French First Division and has apparently rejected offers from Lyon and Bordeaux, so strong is his desire to play in England. Arsenal was his preferred destination but with the Gunners expressing little interest it seems Remy will settle for second best and become a Hammer. The Sun says that Nice are demanding £13m but West Ham expect them to accept £12m. ·