Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio is refusing to give anything away regarding his club’s pursuit of Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, speaking to Calciomercato.
It is almost three months since reports emerged suggesting the longest-serving player in Mikel Arteta’s squad had been told he was free to seek a fresh start elsewhere following eight years, seven trophies and almost 250 games in Arsenal colours.
Since then, Paris Saint-Germain have slammed the door in Bellerin’s face, signing Achraf Hakimi instead. Meanwhile, reports linking the Spaniard with a dream move to boyhood club Real Betis are conspicuous by their absence these days.
So, with just six weeks of the transfer window remaining, the fight to secure Bellerin’s signature appears to have become a one-horse race.
However, a move to Serie A champions Inter Milan is far from certain at this stage too. Calciomercato reports Arsenal won’t stand in Bellerin’s way but the London giants are demanding an obligatory loan-to-buy deal worth about £17 million.
Inter, however, would prefer an ‘option to buy’ arrangement for a player who hasn’t started more than 30 games in a league season since 2017/18 because of a series of injuries.
Is Hector Bellerin leaving Arsenal for Inter Milan?
And, when quizzed about the prospect of Bellerin’s arrival today, Ausilio seemed to suggest progress had stalled.
“There is no news,” Ausilio said.
Bellerin is hardly the only right-back on Inter’s wish-list either.
The Nerazzurri are also keen on PSV Eindhoven captain Denzel Dumfries following the Dutchman’s swashbuckling performances at Euro 2020.
Dumfries, who has also been linked with Everton, may come cheaper than Bellerin and would arrive without a history of fitness problems.
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