MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has played down talk of a move back to his native Spain, saying in an interview published yesterday that his future lies in the English Premier League.

“I have a cool head, I am very happy at Arsenal and in England there is still a lot for me to do,” he told Spanish sports daily Marca.

“That is all I can say to you. I am not thinking about anything else. I am very content and have a long path to cover in the Premier League.”

The 22-year-old Spanish international — Arsenal’s top scorer with 12 goals — is under contract with the Gunners until 2014 but his future has once again been the subject of much speculation this season.

Spanish media have reported that both European champions Barcelona and their arch-rivals Real Madrid are preparing bids for the player, who has also been linked recently with a move to AC Milan.

“I have reached a conclusion: it is better not to talk about these things. Since the summer there has been talk about (bids from Real or Barcelona) and the only thing I am doing is thinking about my club, Arsenal, and seeing how I can help my teammates,” he said.

Fabregas scored twice from the bench during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday before limping out with a hamstring problem that is expected to sideline him for up to three weeks.

“I am not going to be able to play these days, but I hope to recover quickly and be with the team,” he said.

“My only concern in the Premier League and what is going to happen there. We are well positioned and we have a few key matches coming up where we can reaffirm our lead.”

Arsenal are third in the Premier League with 38 points, seven points behind leader Chelsea with two games in hand.

Fabregas began his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Arsenal in September 2003.

The following month he became Arsenal’s youngest ever player in any competition when he appeared in a League Cup tie against Rotherham aged just 16 years and 177 days.