Arsene Wenger is desperate to hang on to one of his prized assets, but interest from Bellerin’s former club could test their resolve.
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has told Sky Sports’ official Twitter account that he believes in-demand Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin will continue his career in England amid reported interest from Barcelona.
The fleet-footed 21-year-old joined the Gunners from the Catalan giants in 2011, and has since developed into arguably the finest right-back in the Premier League due to his efficiency in attack and underrated defensive ability.
According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are preparing to double Bellerin’s wages, despite the Spaniard signing a revamped £40,000-a-week deal just last year, to ward off interest from Barcelona who are looking for a long-term replacement for Dani Alves (below).
However, Balague believes that Bellerin will not force a repeat of the Cesc Fabregas saga, who eventually returned to his boyhood club after years of unrelenting speculation, though admits that the advances of Manchester City could result in a different conclusion.
Pep Guardiola (below) is reported to be a huge admirer of the rapid right-sider, according to the Manchester Evening News, and views Bellerin as the ideal replacement for the ageing Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna.
Bellerin is also understood to have a very close relationship with former Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta, now part of Guardiola’s coaching staff, which could have a major impact if City are to return with another bid after having an opening offer emphatically rejected in the summer.
And, although Bellerin’s contract doesn’t run out until 2019 and he appears settled in North London, Arsenal fans could be forgiven for suffering spates of involuntary déjà vu.
After all, City have a history when it comes to poaching Arsenal’s key players, with Sanga Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy (below) all swapping the Emirates for the Etihad in recent years.
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