Arsenal Transfer News: Hector Bellerin Talks Barcelona, Nolito Scouted and More

Arsenal fans will be relieved to hear that right-back Hector Bellerin is committed to the north London outfit and is not considering a return to Barcelona.

According to the Mirror's Ed Malyon, the Spaniard told Marca:

"

I came to Arsenal to stay here. I'm not thinking about going back. I'm happy and I'm playing. It's my fifth season and I feel like this is my home. I see it as very difficult to leave.

I'm very happy to have made the move. The simple fact is that playing in the Premier League and the Champions League makes me very grateful.

"

As Malyon notes, the 20-year-old ascended the ranks in Barca's La Masia academy between 2003 and 2011 before making the switch to the Emirates Stadium.

After seeing former Gunners hero Cesc Fabregas make a high-profile return to his boyhood club and Gerard Pique do the same from Manchester United, Arsenal fans could be forgiven for fearing a repeated career path for Bellerin, who has developed enormously in recent years.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Bellerin is tremendously quick, and his marauding runs forward saw him create six clear-cut goalscoring chances in the Premier League prior to Week 9's fixtures—more than any other defender in the division, according to Opta (h/t Sky Sports).

The full-back is aided by his strong dribbling skills, with Squawka reporting him as completing 14 take-ons from 19 attempts this season.

There may be concerns his forays forward leave the Gunners somewhat exposed at the back, but his defending has steadily improved. Squawka also noted he has won 12 tackles and nine headed duels this season.

In the 3-0 win over Manchester United, football writer Miguel Delaney believed the Spaniard coped well physically with Memphis Depay, while after the match, manager Arsene Wenger praised his player, per writer James McNicholas:

"

Physical duels won by Arsenal players today: Bellerin v Memphis, Alexis v Darmian, Walcott v Blind, Everyone v Rooney.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 4, 2015"

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez is also among those who feel the youngster has improved his ability to contribute at both ends of the field:

"

@ykovatchev Very impressive, goes without saying. Balanced duties well.

— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) September 28, 2015"

Bellerin's stock is only going in one direction, and if Arsenal can keep hold of him, they'll reap the rewards of his width, creativity and frightening turn of pace for years to come.

Indeed, the Gunners may be denying Barcelona the services of another player in the near future, as they could be set to move for Celta Vigo striker Nolito.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

According to Will Giles of Metro, El Periodico Mediterraneo (link in Spanish) reported that Arsenal had scouts watching the Spaniard's side play Villarreal on Sunday.

The forward was in magnificent form last season, as he racked up 13 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, and he has begun this campaign in the same fashion, having already scored six and made three in eight appearances.

Opta Jose reveals his almost unrivalled creativity, while Dominguez admitted to being an admirer:

"

Nolito standout tonight. Dangerous and caused havoc throughout. Intelligent and entertaining one to watch. Explosive player.

— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) April 26, 2015"

While Arsenal are more in need of a clinical finisher than another creator, Nolito is hardly goal-shy and would still be able to share the workload of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.

The Spaniard has just turned 29, however, so Wenger is unlikely to pursue him in earnest unless he can be acquired cheaply.

According to journalist Dermot Corrigan, he possesses an €18 million release clause. While that isn't huge money for a club like Arsenal, Wenger's generally frugal nature will likely see him pass on Nolito.