Arsenal has abandoned efforts to keep skipper Cesc Fabregas, who could be set for a return to Spanish giant Barcelona, Spanish sports newspapers said on Thursday.

Gunners coach Arsene Wenger has allowed his skipper to leave on condition he does not sign with another English team, the Barcelona-based daily Mundo Deportivo said, quoting a conversation between the two.

But it warned "negotiations between the two clubs will not be easy".

Another paper, Sport, said "Arsenal believes that the player's departure is inevitable" and his representatives are expected in Barcelona on Thursday to hear the "demands" of the London club.

It said Arsenal could ask for up to 50 million euros for the 24-year-old midfielder, a star of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad.