Inter Milan are confident of signing Hector Bellerin this summer after marking the Arsenal defender as their top target to replace Achraf Hakimi, according to Sport.
The Nerazzurri are edging closer and closer to a deal to sell Hakimi to Paris Saint-Germain. And with the Moroccan gone, Simone Inzaghi will need a replacement at right-back, with three options currently in mind.
Inter would consider a deal for Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto or Davide Zappacosta of Chelsea, but are favouring Arsenal’s Bellerin. Only should the Serie A champions miss out on the Spaniard will they turn attentions to a raid on Stamford Bridge and lastly the Camp Nou.
But Inter are confident that Arsenal will accept a deal to sell Bellerin for around €20m (£17m) this summer. The San Siro side’s efforts will leave Barcelona with a decision to make over Roberto’s future in Catalunya.
Barcelona are working to reduce the size of Ronald Koeman’s squad and their bloated wage bill. Yet could offer Roberto the chance to stay if he agrees to sign a heavily reduced deal, with his contract expiring in 2022.
Inter’s interest in a deal for Arsenal star Bellerin has risen considerably over the past week. Gianluca Di Marzio claimed last weekend that the Serie A giant had approached the 26-year-old to discuss his interest in a potential move to Milan.
While Corriere dello Sport also add that the Gunners would sanction a season-long loan transfer. But the Italian publication did not mention an option to buy, while Di Marzio had noted a €20m (£17m) valuation. Suggesting the two sides are now close to an agreement.
Bellerin looking set to leave Arsenal for Inter Milan
With Inter Milan confident of a £17m deal and Arsenal setting the same valuation, Bellerin looks set to leave north London for Italy. It will bring the curtain down on a speculation-fuelled summer for the £110,000-per-week full-back, who is under contract to 2023.
Previously, Di Marzio claimed Villarreal and Sevilla were keen as Bellerin is ready to leave after a decade at Arsenal. CBS Sports also noted interest from Atletico Madrid, Sport cited PSG as a destination and ABC Sevilla claimed Real Betis had held talks with the Gunners.
It will be a mutual parting for Arsenal and Bellerin if he does now leave for Inter Milan. But his exit will deprive Mikel Arteta of a player he hailed, via The Sun, as a ‘key figure’. Yet the Gunners boss was less willing to give his compatriot minutes toward the end of last term.
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