Fabregas flattered by Real interest, focused on Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas says he is flattered by reports of Real Madrid's interest in signing him but he will not let it distract him from next week's Champions League clash against the Spaniards.

"It's a source of pride and happiness for me that a team like Real Madrid are interested in me," the 18-year-old Spaniard told sports daily Marca on Saturday.

"I know that a lot of people are talking about it but no one has approached me. However, it's always nice that people talk about you in this way."

The former Barcelona youth team player was outstanding in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Real in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie at the Bernabeu and turned in an impressive performance when he made his debut for Spain in their 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast on Wednesday.

"A lot of things have happened to me in the past few weeks and they've all been good," he said. "But all that matters at the moment is Arsenal and there will be time to talk about everything else in the future."

"Real are our rivals and I hope we can beat them, but I can't deny that they are a great team with some great players."

Fabregas said that although he was happy at Arsenal he was keen to return to Spain in the future.

"It (returning to Spain) is something I've always had in my head because although I'm happy here (in England) it isn't my country and you always miss your own one."

"I don't know what will happen, but if it doesn't happen next season it will happen in another because I want to play in the Spanish league one day."

Arsenal meet Real in the second leg of their Champions League knockout at Highbury on Wednesday.