Barcelona say they are in official negotiations with Arsenal to sign Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas.
The Spanish giants told BBC Sport that talks with Arsenal over a deal for the midfielder, who is with Spain's World Cup squad, "became formal" on Tuesday.
"An informal conversation with Arsenal became formal on 1 June and now an official approach has been made to the club," said a Barca spokesman.
Arsenal declined to comment when they were contacted by BBC Sport.
The Barca spokesman added: "Before 1 June, under English rules, we could not make an official approach to Arsenal for Fabregas, but that changed on Tuesday.
"I don't think there is a special advance on, say, the price or anything, but it has moved on now."
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We'll do nothing that might make it more difficult for him to come here and we won't rush things - but we won't stop either
Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste
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Barcelona have made it clear they regard Fabregas, 22, who played in the youth team at the Nou Camp before moving to north London seven years ago, is one of their chief transfer targets this summer.
They are reported to have already bid £30m for the player, with Arsenal believed to be holding out for closer to double that amount.
Fabregas, who is currently with Spain's World Cup squad, signed an eight-year contract with the Gunners in 2006 and has been quoted as saying he would join Barcelona if he left the Emirates.
Barcelona director general Joan Oliver revealed on the club's official website: "Everybody knows that Cesc wants to sign for Barca and that we also want him to come here, but there is also a third party involved - Arsenal. Any agreement has to be with them.
"We've now made a formal written offer, which we presented to Arsenal yesterday [Tuesday] afternoon."
The vice-president of the Catalan club, Rafael Yuste, added: "I'm optimistic that he'll be able to sign for Barca as soon as possible and it's clear that everybody here will give him a warm welcome.
"We'll do nothing that might make it more difficult for him to come here and we won't rush things - but we won't stop either."
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Barca also revealed on their website that club director Raul Sanllehi and technical secretary Txiki Begiristain will direct their negotiations.
Fabregas revealed last month he had spoken to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger about his future.
"It was probably the greatest conversation I have had with someone in my life," said Fabregas.
"I respect him so much. He told me to concentrate on my football and the World Cup and he will deal with whatever happens in my future.
"It's not up to me any more. It's just now about Arsenal and whoever it has to be and that's it. I don't want to say anything else.
"I just want to be focused for the World Cup because it's the most important thing. The rest, the future, I'm not interested in the future."
Should Fabregas move to the Nou Camp he would become Barcelona's second summer recruit after the £34m signing Spain striker David Villa.
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