Spanish international Cesc Fabregas is close to joining Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco. The 31-year old bid adios to his Chelsea fans in Saturday’s win over Nottingham Forest

He was in the starting XI against Nottingham Forest during their FA Cup third-round tie. To cap it all off he sported the captain’s armband for the Blues.

Fabregas had the perfect opportunity to sign off his Chelsea with a goal. Sadly, he saw a 30th-minute penalty saved by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata’s brace handed Chelsea an advantage heading into the game’s closing stages.

With Chelsea up 2-0 late in the game, Fabregas was given a chance to say farewell to the Blues faithful when he was subbed off by manager Maurizio Sarri.

As he left, Fabregas embraced team-mate David Luiz before taking his time exiting the pitch, applauding the Stamford Bridge crowd.

The Spaniard was spotted holding back tears as he made his way to the bench for the last five minutes of Chelsea’s victory.

The emotion Fabregas displayed at Stamford Bridge seemingly confirmed his impending move to Monaco.

Fabregas saw his playing time diminish this season in the Premier League. This is because Sarri prefers to use Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the Spaniard in his tactics.

After moving from Barcelona in 2014, Fabregas has spent four and a half seasons with the Blues, winning two league titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup.

He will join Monaco, which is managed by former Arsenal team-mate and legend Thierry Henry. The principality side is in the midst of a difficult season, sitting second from bottom in Ligue 1.

It may not have been the swansong that Cesc Fabregas wanted, but a win for Chelsea FC is a win.