Arsenal star Hector Bellerin is attracting a host of suitors from across Europe with Barcelona the latest club to discuss a move for the Spanish defender.
Bellerin spent last season on-loan with La Liga outfit Real Betis after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium. The Spanish defender joined the Gunners academy ranks back in 2011 signing from Barca after graduating from the famous La Masia academy.
The 27-year-old is open to moving on from the north London club and favours a move back to Seville, where he helped Betis win the Copa del Rey last term. However, the Spanish club's financial situation means they cannot afford Arsenal's asking price for Bellerin, opening the door for other suitors to approach the defender.
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Arsenal have started the season with Ben White operating at right-back, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares also ahead of Bellerin in the pecking order. Catalan giants Barcelona have held an 'internal meeting' discussing whether to make a move for the Spanish defender as he eyes a return to his homeland, according to Sport, via The Mirror.
Manager Xavi Hernandez wants to sign a right-back as a priority this summer, with Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier and Villarreal’s Juan Foyth both deemed too expensive for Barcelona to sign. Bellerin is now in the final year of his contract with the Gunners and would be a much cheaper option to sign, as well as the Spaniard already understanding the 'Barca way' following his development through the La Masia academy system.
The 27-year-old is now being seriously considered at Camp Nou and, with the transfer window deadline edging closer, Bellerin is looking more and more attractive for the Catalan club. Barca are trying to sell on Sergino Dest to Manchester United, with manager Erik ten Hag having coached him during Dest's time at Ajax, with the sale freeing up space for Bellerin to sign.
Atletico Madrid are another club that have been touted over signing the Arsenal defender this summer, as per ABC. Despite the Camp Nou speculation, Bellerin’s top priority is to re-sign for Betis on a permanent basis this summer, with the player also having been offered to Atletico Madrid too.
The Gunners are looking to move on a number of fringe players this summer with Bellerin, Nicolas Pepe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles facing uncertain futures at the Emirates Stadium. Should Bellerin leave the club, it would free up a significant amount of wages for Arsenal to invest into Bukayo Saka's contract renewal after Mikel Arteta admitted he is confident the club can tie the England international down to a new long-term deal.
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