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They say you should never go back.

But in Cesc Fabregas's case, maybe the time is right to return to Arsenal.

And one thing's for sure, the clause is there to make it all happen this summer .

The issue for Fabregas is that Barcelona may be willing to sell him as new boss Luis Enrique looks up to shake-up his squad, bring in some funds and then go and buy his own players.

That then brings into a play a clause which was inserted by Arsenal when they sold Fabregas to Barcelona three years ago. That now looks a master stroke.

What it means is that Barcelona have to inform Arsenal if they receive an offer for Fabregas - and then Arsenal get first refusal .

If Arsenal don't take up the option, they still get a healthy chunk of any profit Barcelona make on selling Fabregas to another club. This clause is a win-win for Arsenal.

poll loading Gooners! Would you welcome Fabregas back? 9000+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

Last summer, while on tour with Arsenal in the Far East, I got the impression from Arsene Wenger that he still spoke to Fabregas regularly, that he never believed he would go to Manchester United and, if a bid was accepted, Arsenal would step in.

I think it will be a similar story this summer. Arsenal may well wait and see what happens - and then pounce if necessary.

Fabregas, 27, is open to a return to the Premier League, he retains an affection for Arsenal and of either Manchester club move for him then Wenger has a decision to make.

It hasn't been the dream move that Fabregas had hoped for, going back to his boyhood heroes. Some wonderful moments on the pitch but not the unbridled love affair that he had with Arsenal fans.

Let's not kid ourselves here. Fabregas had an unhappy final year at Arsenal. He wanted to go the summer before he left and then in 2011 he made it very clear that he wanted to go to Barcelona.

Other players wouldn't be forgiven by fans. But Arsenal's supporters, in the main at least, have never questioned him and would welcome him back in a heartbeat.

He is a world class player who would grace any team. But the biggest question is: do Arsenal really need him? Probably not. They have an abundance of his style of attack minded midfielders. Mesut Ozil cost £42m and is the No. 10.

They need a holding midfielder rather than a fancy dan. But would Fabregas improve Arsenal? Yes. And if the answer is yes, then why not sign him?

There may be competition. United fancied him last summer and put in a lot of groundwork. City could view him as a home grown player because of his years spent at Arsenal.

But Arsenal have the trump card with the clause - and a place in Fabregas's heart.