London, Feb 9 : Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and the board at Ashburton Grove are reportedly ready to go to war with Spanish giants Barcelona to ensure that skipper Cesc Fabregas does not leave.

Barcelona are ready to launch a 40 million pound bid for Fabregas this summer and believe they may be able to lure him away unless Arsenal win some silverware this season.

Wenger insists that Fabregas is happy at Arsenal, and the club is under no financial pressure to sell their prize asset and his long-term plans are all built around the Spaniard, The Mirror reports.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has already written to Barcelona to demand the Spanish giants stop their very public campaign to try to sign the midfielder.

Gazidis wanted to know why stories keep appearing in the Spanish press and for the club’s executives to stop making statements about Fabregas.

The 22-year-old still has four years left on his contract and Arsenal are ready make him the highest-paid player in the club''s history by offering him a new and improved contract worth 30 million pounds to fend off interest from Spain.

Fabregas has not ruled out a potential move to Barca, and has maintained that he would like to return to play for the Champions League winners someday.

He has been in sublime form this season, with 14 goals and as many assists from his 26 appearances in all competitions. (ANI)