By CALEB SONNELAND
One of the most drawn out and exasperating transfer sagas could soon be coming to an end.
In a deal believed to be around the £35 million mark, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas appears to finally be headed Barcelona's way as the two clubs near an agreement for the marquee midfielder.
Fabregas has long been the subject of transfer speculation almost strictly to the La Liga champions, and the reported deal is said to be £25.5 million outright with £5 million in add-ons. Fabregas himself will be paying £4.5 million personally after forking over about £900,000 in wages every year from his new deal.
Here are some other stories from across the globe to keep your Wednesday rolling:
ETO'O REPORTEDLY CLOSE TO SHOCK RUSSIAN SWITCH
What would a summer transfer window be without a shock switch of a big player?
Samuel Eto'o is apparently on the brink of a surprise move to the Russian Premier League with Anzhi Makhachkala.
The striker's agent Claudio Vigorelli claims that preliminary talks regarding a potential transfer have already taken place between the two clubs and has gone as far to say that an agreement is "almost" reached.
The transfer would mark a huge transition for Eto'o, who has spent the last two years at Inter Milan after completing a €46 million transfer from Barcelona in the summer of 2009.
Eto'o has bagged 33 goals in 67 appearances for the Serie A giants.
ATLETICO CLOSE IN ON TURAN
Turkish winger Arda Turan is on the brink of completing a move to La Liga's Atletico Madrid after it was announced that his current club Galatasaray has agreed a €13 million deal with Atletico.
Turan has long been linked with a big money switch away from the Turkish club, but always with several suitors mentioned.
The player is slated to have his medical on Friday morning and, pending a successful inspection, will be presented in the Atletico Madrid colors by next Tuesday.
BASTOS STAYING PUT AT LYON
Michel Bastos has put to rest any rumors of his imminent departure from Ligue 1 superpower Lyon today.
The Brazilian winger has been the subject of transfer speculation with the most attention coming from Juventus in Serie A.
However, Bastos side-stepped his agent and came out publicly via Twitter and said, ""Friends, let me tell you that I will remain at OL. This is where I want to win titles…"
Bastos signed from Lille two years ago for a fee of €18 million.
FIFA '12 COVER RELEASED
Two of the MLS's biggest faces made their way onto EA Games's cover of FIFA 2012 in the Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan and the New York Red Bulls' Rafa Marquez.
The two MLS stars will be joined by Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, who recently enjoyed a goal-filled tour of the United States.
FIFA 2012 Cover here.
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Glad Fabregas finally appears to be on his way to Barca? Think Eto'o will light up the Russian Premier League? Who did you want to see on the FIFA 2012 cover?