Cesc Fabregas as Como manager.
Cesc Fabregas reportedly demanded a special condition in his Como contract in case Barcelona, Arsenal, or Chelsea pursue him.
The Spaniard aided Como's return to Serie A after a 21-year absence and helped them achieve Champions League qualification for the first-time in the club's history.
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas.3
Since taking charge of Como in 2024, Cesc Fabregas has guided the club to a best-ever Serie A season in 2025/26, finishing fourth
The 39-year-old is contracted with the Italian side until June 2028 and has led the club to historical heights.
However, it includes a specific clause allowing him to leave on favourable financial terms if an offer arrives from one of his three former clubs.
According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Como boss pushed hard to confirm the deal, allowing himself the chance to freely move back to Spain or England in the future.
Following his playing career ending at Como, Fabregas was appointed as head coach of the side's under-19s until he was promoted to the first-team, initially on an interim basis.
Waiting for the Camp Nou
Before he became a professional manager, the former Spain midfielder has always dreamed of sitting in the dugout at the Camp Nou.
He has previously said: "I can’t deny that it would be a dream to coach Barca one day. Time will tell. Right now, all I want to do is prepare myself well to become a coach.
"I have notebooks with notes about the things I liked and didn’t like about the different coaches I’ve had. To keep it in mind for the future."
Di Marzi recently confirmed: "Fabregas will only leave Como for a super top club likeBarcelonaorArsenal, but they've renewed the contract of [Hansi] Flick and Arsenal are obviously happy with [Mikel] Arteta.
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"I don't see him going to the first top club that needs him. He's like a calculator. He knows that he will coach one of these top clubs.
"He's not in a hurry because, even last year, he said no toInter, no toAS Roma, he said no toBayer Leverkusen, and also Como didn't want to let him go.
Cesc Fabregas of Como celebrates after the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Pisa3
Following Liam Rosenior being sacked, Fabregas was linked with the Chelsea job
"He had an exit clause for top clubs likeChelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona, so it depends on which of these clubs will begin to struggle. Everything can change."
Barcelona extended Flick’s contract in May through to June 2028, with an option for an extra season; however, club president Joan Laporta wanted the German to commit longer to Barca.
Heart set on London
Additionally, Mikel Arteta is under no pressure at the Emirates after leading the Gunners to their first Premier League title since 2004.
Meanwhile, Chelsea appointed former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as their permanent manager on a four-year deal, four months ago.
The 38-year-old has stayed loyal to his Serie A side, as he has attracted interest from RB Leipzig and Italian giants Inter Milan.
Como president Mirwan Suwarso publicly shut down any transfer talk at the time, and said: "We were approached by several clubs, but our position remains the same. We want to continue to grow and work together. And that remains the case. This is the story."
Mikel Arteta in a press conference3
Arteta's job is the most secure in the Premier League following a successful season last year
Fabregas' side currently sits eighth after an impressive start to a history-making campaign, and have made their debut in the Champions League.
They opened their domestic campaign with an unbeaten streak until a recent slip-up against Frosinone in the league just before the international break.
However, the northern Italian side picked up a crucial 4-1 win at home against RB Leipzig in their first game in the continental competition.