Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Hector Bellerin, Joel Asoro Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly given up on their plans to sign Arsenal starlet Hector Bellerin, while the Gunners are said to be scouting Sunderland youngster Joel Asoro on international duty.

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Daily Star's Jamie Styles), Barcelona manager Luis Enrique feels comfortable about his options at right-back and won't be investing in the position anytime soon, dropping the Catalans out of the Bellerin sweepstakes.

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The speedster was linked with a move back to Catalonia during the summer transfer window, as the Blaugrana were on the lookout for a replacement for Dani Alves, who left for Juventus. Arsenal made it clear Bellerin wasn't for sale, and the player didn't push for a move, either. So a transfer never seemed likely.

Instead of bringing in another replacement, Enrique has started Sergi Roberto at right-back, and the Spaniard has done just fine so far. He was one of the team's breakout players last season, although he mainly played in midfield. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Bellerin will likely be linked with his former club for the rest of his career after making the move to London in 2011―unless he does in fact return. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the most exciting young full-backs in the world with Arsenal, and he was an automatic starter when healthy last year.

His raw speed and willingness to move forward are huge assets to Arsenal's attack, and legendary full-back Cafu thinks the youngster is quite reminiscent of himself at the same age, per Arsenal's official Twitter account:

While a transfer in 2016 seemed almost impossible, the threat of Barcelona is always present, and the Catalans tend to get what they want in the transfer market. Memories of Cesc Fabregas' return to his boyhood club are still fresh, and with an apparent need at the right-back position, the link with Bellerin was fairly obvious.

But if Roberto continues his development, the possibility of Barcelona actually making a move for Bellerin diminishes greatly. The Catalans will more likely invest in a veteran backup, rather than an expensive budding star the Gunners don't wish to part with.

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Meanwhile, Swedish outlet Expressen (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris) reports Arsenal sent scout Bobby Bennett to watch Sunderland's Asoro in action for Sweden's under-21 side against Spain on Monday, with Newcastle United also keeping an eye on the youngster.

The 17-year-old has already made his full Premier League debut for the Black Cats, and he's widely regarded as one of the best young forwards in England. According to the Chronicle (via Harris), AC Milan, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Valencia and Villarreal have all sent scouts to watch the teenager.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Asoro has remarkable quickness and athletic ability, but it's his natural instincts in and around the box that set him apart. He's always looking to run in behind the defence and easily finishes chances from all areas of the attacking third.

The fact he's playing in the Premier League and for Sweden's under-21 side as a 17-year-old says a lot about his development, but Asoro is still quite raw, and he's currently in the perfect situation with Sunderland to keep working on his craft.

The Black Cats are willing to give him plenty of playing minutes, something top teams will be wary of, and as a result, a transfer seems unlikely for now. That could change if he keeps improving at the same rapid pace, however, at which point a club like Dortmund, which is always willing to play youngsters, could become tempting.