Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin is one of the most promising young footballers in Europe at the moment, having really rose to stardom in this Arsenal team. He is highly valued in North London and looks set to have a fantastic career ahead of him.
The issue that Arsenal have of course is holding onto the player, who is surely set to have plenty of offers come for him each and every time the transfer window opens. There have already been strong rumours about Barcelona making contact with Arsenal and having joined from the Spanish side when he was just a teen, it’s only natural that Arsenal fans believe he is likely to return one day.
Bellerin has stated in the past that although he would’ve loved to have made it at Barcelona and that he dreamed of playing at the Camp Nou, he realises that his home is now with Arsenal and he intends on remaining loyal to the Gunners. Bellerin has signed a new contract this season and it’s the player’s contractual terms that Wenger argued about when faced with media questions surrounding Bellerin’s future.
When asked about whether Barcelona had made contact about Bellerin, Wenger replied: ‘No, we have just extended his contract and he has an unbelievable amount of years to go.’
Bellerin’s terms remain unconfirmed but whilst Wenger may have meant an ‘unbelievable amount of years to go’ at Arsenal, it’s also suggested he could have a fair few years actually on his Arsenal contract. Obviously the boss isn’t going to come out and say that Barcelona want the player, because that would risk unsettling Bellerin and potentially other members of the squad. That’s the last thing the team needs right now in this desperate time for change. I would however be very surprised if Barcelona didn’t make contact with Arsenal in the summer about a move for the Spaniard, because they still haven’t found an adequate replacement for the now departed Dani Alves. Bellerin could hold that position down for many many years to come and so I think Arsenal will have to do well to reject the Spanish giants approaches.
Bellerin may not want to leave yet, but Arsenal have to begin showing some competition in the biggest competitions, otherwise he will change his mind.
By AH