Cesc Fabregas was part of a long-drawn out saga between Arsenal and Barcelona, where the Catalan giants would gradually plant seeds of thought in his head, and the same is set to happen with Hector Bellerin.
The now-Chelsea midfielder joined the Gunners from the Barca academy as a 16 year-old potential star, and went onto find his feet in the Premier League with the club. Fabregas became the club’s captain in 2008, but was always the subject of praise by his former club.
Cesc eventually pushed for a return to Barcelona, and was granted his wish in 2011, with a €29 Million fee paid by the Spanish giants, and the player himself is claimed to have had to pay €1 Million a year to complete the deal also.
Now Hector Bellerin is set to endure the same treatment, having also made the same switch to Arsenal as a 16 year-old, coincidentally in the same window as Cesc left Arsenal, and has emerged as one of the best players in his current side.
The right-back was praised by Barcelona’s sporting director Roberto Fernandez, although he seemingly ruled out a move for him at present. Fernandez said: “He is a magnificent player but it is not something that we will be pursuing”.
The 21 year-old earned a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year this season, and was a late inclusion into Vicente Del Bosque’s Spain squad this summer, and that is a cause for concern.
It is believed that Bellerin’s international team-mates are likely to talk intensely about a return to Spain, and this is also believed to have played a part in Cesc’s eventual return. Hopefully the fact that the midfielder has been through the same situation, and eventually left to return to England will put him off somewhat.
Could we tempt Bellerin to snub their advances, or is it inevitable that he will eventually return to Barca?
Pat J