Manchester City Transfer News: Latest on Hector Bellerin, Other Top Rumours

Manchester City co-assistant coach Mikel Arteta could reportedly be the key to the Sky Blues tempting Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin to the Etihad Stadium in January.

According to Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail, City and Barcelona both have Bellerin as a priority signing for the new year having asked about him in the summer, and former Gunner Arteta could be City's "secret weapon" in the chase.

Barlow added that, while Barca manager Luis Enrique believes Bellerin could be tempted by a return to Catalonia—he started his career in the club's academy—current City boss Pep Guardiola "was a hero" for the young Spaniard, and he has previously described Arteta as "like a father."

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Barcelona will be a major competitor for Bellerin's signature, as they need a long-term replacement for Dani Alves.

Per Sport (h/t the Mirror's Ed Malyon), Barca are eager to swoop for Bellerin before he signs a new deal with Arsenal—his current contract at the Emirates Stadium is set to expire in 2019:

That will also be City's approach, as they will likely lose their opportunity to sign him in one of the next couple of transfer windows should he put pen to paper on a new Arsenal deal.

The Gunners are sure to fight tooth and nail to keep him.

Bellerin, 21, has become one of their most important players and is the undisputed first-choice right-back in manager Arsene Wenger's side.

However, it is likely Bellerin could be tempted by the chance to move to City, where he would likely have better prospects of winning trophies than at Arsenal.

The Arteta factor could also play a big part. The 34-year-old Spaniard joined City's back-room team upon his retirement and the installment of Guardiola as City boss in the summer.

Wenger came under criticism for not retaining Arteta on the Arsenal staff, per Betway:

If the former Rangers and Everton player does indeed influence Bellerin's decision to leave Arsenal, Wenger will surely take further flak for letting Arteta join a rival Premier League club.

With Arsenal having not won a league title since 2004, it would be perfectly understandable if Bellerin chose to depart for City or Barca, and Arteta could be the ace in the Sky Blues' pack.