Arsenal’s speedy right back Hector Bellerin is wanted by both Manchester City and Barcelona, according to reports.
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Bellerin, 21, has become a mainstay at right back for the Gunners over the past two seasons with the Spanish international named in the PFA Premier League Team of the year last season.
However, the Daily Mirror reports that Pep Guardiola and Man City continue to admire Bellerin and in an interview with Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona’s vice-president Jordi Mestre talked about Bellerin returning to Barca like many others have in the past.
“We’ve already seen him as a Cule [Barcelona follower],” Mestre said. “He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that. Wenger convinced him to move and promised him something, which we couldn’t. We could not promise him that within two years he would be playing in Dani Alves’ place. In many cases it’s good that they leave to develop as players and then return. Look at the cases of Cesc, Pique, Alba and Denis Suarez.”
Bellerin is said to be in talks with Arsenal over a new five-year contract but the talks have slowed down a little since the end of last season.
Originally from Barcelona and a product of their famed academy until he left for Arsenal in 2011, there are many similarities between his situation and that of Cesc Fabregas. The latter became a star at Arsenal at a young age and eventually returned back to Barca. With Dani Alves now at Juventus, there could be a chance for Bellerin to be Barcelona’s first choice in that position for a long, long time.
However, with Guardiola currently playing ageing full backs at Man City — Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna are the options at right back — perhaps they will be the favorites to sign Bellerin, especially given the fact that Guardiola was the manager at Barca’s first team while Bellerin was in their academy.
That said it is believed Arsenal do not want to sell the young right back and have already warned City for asking about Bellerin’s availability in the summer.
Bellerin is a wanted man. Watch this space.
