Manuel Almunia dives into Cesc Fabregas debate

It feels like everyone has had something to say this week about Cesc Fabregas and his possible move from Arsenal to Barcelona, although mercifully Gordon Brown has yet to share his thoughts with the nation from the comfort of the GMTV couch.

The latest figure to wade into the row is Fabregas's Arsenal teammate and compatriot Manuel Almunia. The Gunners' goalkeeper has blasted Barcelona and Spanish football in general in an attack that will set castanets clicking across the country. "The presidents and people at clubs [in Spain] talk too much," fumed the 32-year-old Almunia. "They are in the press much more than they should be. In England I have never seen the directors in the press and so it's strange for me."

Almunia, who has been at Arsenal since 2004, is no stranger to controversy having declared his desire in the past to play for England. For him the idea of swapping pie and mash for paella is unthinkable and he hopes Fabregas sees the light and stays at the Emirates. "For the supporters, Cesc is a symbol of the club. For the people, he is the best," he said. "I have no doubts that he loves the club and Arsenal in general. If he has to go, and I don't know anything, he will be very sad."

The Daily Star says that Sunderland have been keeping tabs on Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas who, as reported on The First Post last month, was shot and wounded in a Mexico City bar.

The 29-year-old Cabanas had scored six goals for his country in helping them reach the World Cup finals in South Africa, and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce had hoped to bring him to the Stadium of Light for next season.

But Cabanas was gunned down in January and underwent a six-hour operation to remove the bullet from his head. He remains in a stable condition in hospital although the prognosis is unknown. But the Star quotes the player's agent as saying: "I have talked to Steve Bruce and he told me if a miracle happens with Salvador and he recovers, he still wants him."  

In other news the Daily Mail is confident that Benfica defender David Luiz will soon be a Manchester United player. According to the paper, the Reds are tracking the progress of the 6ft 1in Luiz and have even held "initial talks" with Benfica in the hope of securing his services ahead of Barcelona, who perhaps have been too busy tapping up Cesc Fabregas to notice United's interest. Luiz is highly regarded in Brazil and has made over 20 appearances for the Under 20 side.

Finally poverty-struck Portsmouth are on the brink of losing their Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda, according to the Daily Mirror "because they cannot afford to buy him". The 25-year-old Yebda is on loan at Fratton Park and has been offered to Pompey on a permanent basis by his club Benfica, but the paper says the south coast club "don't want to pay the £4m" to buy him.

Yebda is rumoured to be the target of Spanish club Sevilla, but his preference is to remain in Blighty. "I could have left in January but the money problems made it difficult," he said. " I don't think I will be staying now but I'm hoping that there is a chance for me to stay in England." ·