Valencia striker Villa and Fabregas top their wanted list but Yuste admits the two deals are at different stages.

He told Catalonian radio station Ona FM: “Negotiations are progressing well especially in the case of Villa.

“The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement.

“But what makes it easier is that both players want to come to Barca.”

Fabregas, who played alongside Lionel Messi in the Barcelona youth ranks before moving to Arsenal in 2003, sent mixed messages over his future last week when he attended a promotional event in Barcelona.

He said: “You see your [Spanish] team-mates succeeding here [in Barcelona] and it is exciting because you have worked alongside them for so long.

“I think I would like to go to Barcelona, whether or not they want me is another thing.”

However, the Spain international – who has a long-term contract with the Gunners – also stressed: “I don’t know when it will happen. I am happy at Arsenal and I am not in a rush to leave.”

But added: “Before I leave for the World Cup I want my future sorted out because it benefits nobody if I go into the tournament with something else on my mind.”

Reports have suggested Yaya Toure could be used as a makeweight in a deal to take Fabregas to the Nou Camp and the Ivorian’s agent admitted last night his client is not happy at his bit-part role under Pep Guardiola.

Dimitri Selcuk said: “Toure wants to play every game.

“It is likely that Toure will not remain at Barcelona.

“He is happy there, it is a great club but he does not want to spend his time on the bench.”

He added, however: “There is a one in a thousand chance that Toure will be involved in the move for Cesc with Arsenal.”