MADRID (AFP) - Arsenal's Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas wants to return to Barcelona next season where he would have a better chance of playing in the Champions League, sports daily Marca reported Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, who has been in Spain recovering from a serious knee injury that has left him sidelined since December, has met with people linked to the runaway leaders of the Spanish club in recent weeks, it said.

"The message he has sent out to all is that he is crazy for Barcelona to sign him for next season," said the report, without citing sources.

Barcelona does not want to pay more than 20 million euros (26 million dollars) for the player because "no one would understand a huge payout for a player who came through the club's youth team," the newspaper added.

Fabregas, who was injured after a tackle by fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso during Aresenal's 1-1 draw against Liverpool on December 21, is under contract with the English side until 2014.

He joined Arsenal from the youth ranks of Barcelona in July 2003.