Cesc Fabregas: 'I would return to Spain'

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he would be open to the possibility of returning to La Liga in the future, but has ruled out a move back to Barcelona.

The Spanish international came through the youth system at Barcelona, but left for Arsenal in 2003 without having made a first-team appearance for the Catalan giants.

Fabregas did eventually return to Barcelona in 2011 and spent three seasons with his hometown club before joining Chelsea in 2014, where he won the Premier League title in his first season.

The 29-year-old has claimed that he would be prepared to play for another Spanish club aside from Barcelona amid suggestions that Real Madrid are preparing a summer move.

"Why not? Right now I am not thinking about it because I have a lot to settle at Chelsea after this season. I am not really thinking about anything else, but, in my opinion, the Spanish league is the strongest next to the English," Fabregas told Marca.

"A return to Barcelona would no longer be possible, even if I wanted to. The Barcelona stage of my career is over, it is closed."

Fabregas has scored five times in 45 appearances for Chelsea this season.