The 22-year-old midfielder has made more than 160 league appearances for the Gunners since arriving from the Catalan side's youth ranks in 2003.
But he has long been linked with a big-money move back to the Camp Nou, with the European champions believed to have been weighing up an offer for his services during the close-season.
And Balague believes there may be some truth in the rumours, and that the Arsenal midfielder's move to Spain is inevitable.
“I'm convinced that Barcelona are talking up the possibility of Cesc Fabregas joining the club because they understand either from the player or the family that this is what he wants to do,” he told skysports.com
“I can see Cesc arriving at Barcelona in a year, two at most.”
"In England there is less necessity for clubs to talk up which players they want to sign," he said.
“In Spain there are four sports newspapers to be filled, and if they get a lead that Cesc wants to join Barcelona, these papers will push it and push it and push it, and if they get half an answer they will exploit it and get a cover.
“Partly yes it is Barcelona talking about it when really they shouldn't.
“But they are also being forced by a media that is always hungry for stories.”
