Hector Bellerin is inching closer to a move away from the Emirates as the Arsenal right-back has reportedly agreed terms with Barcelona. The player has long been on the radar of the Catalans and the Spanish club are appeared to have closed down on him.
Bellerin is from Catalonia and is a product of the La Masia academy. But after repeated attempts, he failed to clinch a permanent spot in the starting lineup and thus he agreed to a move to the North London. At the Emirates, he was initially groomed at the Gunners academy and later he was unleashed to the senior set up where he has subsequently become the first choice under Arsene Wenger leaving behind the likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson.
Barcelona’s interest in the player is not new as they have been trying for the past few months to reach a certain position regarding his transfer. But the appointment of Ernesto Valverde seemed to be the main reason behind Barcelona’s renewed interest in the player. Valverde thinks Bellerin would be a suitable for his strategy and has sanctioned his move.
Barcelona are ready to cough up as much as £50m for the Spanish international as the need of a conventional right-back has been their priority for a long time now. The departure of Dani Alves dealt a major blow to the Catalans as the Brazilian acclimatised himself beautifully at Juventus since his arrival.
Barcelona were also chasing Benfica starlet Nelson Semedo but Benfica’s valuation of him had forced him to back out from the deal. The Portuguese club have been demanding in the region of £48m which Barcelona are very reluctant to offer.
Bellerin recently expressed his satisfaction over the current situation as he proved his loyalty by staying at the Emirates. He pledged his future to the Emirates by signing a new five-year contract with the club which also saw a significant rise in his wages.
But the English club’s failure in this season might give the Catalans a slightest of chances. For the first time in 20 years Arsenal have not managed to finish in the top four and as a result, they were robbed of a Champions League spot. Barcelona could offer them a direct spot in the starting lineup and the temptation to play alongside the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Pique closer to his home will surely be an attraction which might be enough to seal a move.
