Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli has dismissed talk of a move for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, as the midfielder is linked with a swift transfer from Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international has been marginalised by new Blues coach Antonio Conte, but it appears a switch back to La Liga with Los Nervionenses will not materialise.

Colin Harvey of the Daily Star quoted Sampaoli discussing a potential raid for the former Barcelona player but admitted he has no intention of making an offer: "I know he's an important player, but I'm not thinking about him [Fabregas]. He's very intelligent, and it's clear he's a player any coach would love to have. But it hasn't crossed my mind that he could be here."

Fabregas was signed by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho in 2014 in a £30 million deal, per Harvey, but his form has been erratic since Chelsea last lifted the Premier League title.

Phil Cadden of the Sun on Sunday recently wrote that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would like to acquire the player to add creativity to his midfield. The manager is prepared to part with £20 million to capture the talent.

Fabregas would fit straight into Guardiola's tactics at City, and his record suggests he would blossom again with the quality of the Sky Blues attack ahead of him.

Squawka.com recently highlighted the pedigree Fabregas brings with him:

Conte has opted for a combative and mobile midfield, and Nemanja Matic has been given the nod over Fabregas' flair. The 29-year-old has made only four appearances in the Premier League this term, according to WhoScored.com, starting just once.

Fabregas remains an elite player, and his versatility and potency through the middle make him an attractive target for a top side.

Sevilla have excelled in European competition in recent years, but Fabregas will be hoping to find a place at a bigger team in the immediate future.

In other news, Manchester United have entered the race for former defender Michael Keane after the player forced his way into the England squad.

Peter O'Rourke of ESPN FC reported that Jose Mourinho will challenge Conte for the player's services. Keane joined Burnley from United in 2014.

Keane has developed into one of Europe's best young defenders and will soon be ready for a step up to a bigger club in due course.

According to O'Rourke, Keane admitted that he has stayed in contact with former United youth-squad team-mates Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard and remains a United fan at heart.

Fabregas' days at the Bridge appear to be numbered. but the player can expect to remain at the highest level when he departs.

The midfielder is still a craftsman and goalscorer and would be perfect as an elder statesman at City if Guardiola can tempt him to leave the capital.