Inter Milan have spoken with the agent of Hector Bellerin to sound out the Arsenal defender’s interest in a move to the Serie A, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Simone Inzaghi is on the hunt for the Nerazzurri’s new right-back with Achraf Hakimi set to join Paris Saint-Germain. Mikel Arteta had considered a move to sign the Moroccan before Calciomercato suggested Chelsea emerged as his most likely destination.
But PSG have stolen a march in the race to sign Hakimi, with Fabrizio Romano claiming a €70m (£60m) deal has been agreed. The ex-Real Madrid full-back is due in the French capital for his medical on Monday before signing a five-year contract.
Inter have now turned their attention to Arsenal and Bellerin in their search for Hakimi’s replacement. The Serie A champions have already contacted the defender’s agent to sound out his interest in a potential move.
Inter would prefer to sign Bellerin on an initial loan that carries an option to buy the Spaniard next summer. Di Marzio does not claim if Arsenal would accept the Nerazzurri’s plans, but they value the 26-year-old at €20m (£17m).
The San Siro natives have also eyed Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta as an alternative should Arsenal not agree to loan Bellerin. He has two years remaining on a £110,000-per-week contract at the Emirates Stadium after signing an extension in 2016.
Atletico Madrid have also targeted Bellerin this summer, per CBS, who noted a $28m (£20m) valuation earlier this month. The La Liga champions were assessing a move for the Arsenal star as a potential replacement for Kieran Trippier.
Should Arsenal accept Inter offer for Bellerin?
Bellerin lost his place in Arteta’s fold over last season and only started 24 of his 25 Premier League appearances. The Barcelona product also only featured in three of the Gunners’ final 13 top-flight fixtures with Calum Chambers emerging as the first choice.
But Arsenal should ignore any interest from Inter if the San Siro outfit only want to sign Bellerin on loan. The north Londoners cannot put themselves in a position where he could return next summer with just a year left on his contract.
If Bellerin’s future is not at the Emirates next season, then Arsenal must strive to sell the full-back this summer. He still has a lot to offer under Arteta, though, so a continuation of their time together is possible.
Arteta also praised Bellerin back in October for his dedication to bettering himself. The Arsenal boss said, via FourFourTwo: “He’s demanding all the time to do more individual work, to improve in the final third. He’s doing a lot of reviews, a lot of individual defensive work as well in things that he has to improve. When you do that, you get rewarded.”
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