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Arsenal star agrees terms ahead of potential £35m move to Euro giants
According to reports in Spain [via the Mirror], Hector Bellerin has agreed personal terms with Barcelona ahead of what could be a £35m move from Arsenal this summer.
Bellerin was a product of Barca’s La Masia youth academy and was lured to the Emirates in 2011 with the promise of being fast-tracked in to the first team squad.
Sure enough, the full-back was introduced in to the first team by Arsene Wenger in 2014 and has established himself as our first-choice right-back over the past three years.
Hector is now considered as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League with the potential to develop in to one of the best in Europe so it’s no surprise he’s been constantly linked with a move back ‘home’.
The Independent reported earlier this week that Barcelona were growing increasingly confident of luring Bellerin back to the Nou Camp this summer and were hoping to get a deal wrapped-up before the end of the month.
It seems a move has now taken a huge step closer to becoming a reality as the Mirror are citing reports from Spanish outlet RAC1 that claims Bellerin has now agreed personal terms with Barcelona.
The report indicates that Bellerin will now hold talks with Wenger and a formal approach from Barcelona could come next week as the Catalans ramp-up their pursuit of the defender.
While Arsenal are in a strong bargaining position given Bellerin signed a new long-term contract in November, the Mirror say we may entertain an offer of £35m and we’re far more likely to do business with Barca rather than sell to a domestic rival.
Several of the Spanish media outlets are running the same story and the news comes after Hector was quoted in an interview over the weekend as fluttering his eyelashes at Barcelona.
Bellerin is quoted as saying by the Independent.
“It’s great to know about the interest of Barca, the club where I grew up. I’m an Arsenal player and we’ll see what happens.
“I know a lot of things are being talked about but as a player, the club haven’t told me anything. A lot can happen this summer. ”
“The truth is that every player of a top level wants to play in the Champions League, especially when I’ve been playing in it for two years. As a team, we didn’t qualify. It’s something we want to correct, but as a player, I repeat: it’s an important competition.
“The fact that he [Wenger] is renewing doesn’t change much. I’d have been happy with any other coach because I have a contract.
“My family had to return to Barcelona. I have a tougher time now because I’m a family person. It’ll be a new challenge.”
It seems the 22-year-old may be angling for a move back to his boyhood club – which I’ve always expected, but I just thought he’d stay at Arsenal for a few more years before doing so.
The good news is we have him tied to a long-term contract so we’re under no pressure to sell but Bellerin could make life difficult if he agitates for a move.
READ: Wenger holds talks over deal for £34m midfielder
He’s always seemed settled in London to me but his family moved back to Catalonia this summer so perhaps he’s keen to join them sooner rather than later.
Let’s see what happens but my personal opinion is we’ll refuse to sell this summer and Wenger will make sure Bellerin stays for at least another year.