Hector Bellerin Denies Rumours of Potential Barcelona Move

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin has played down reports linking with a move back to former club Barcelona. The 22-year-old defender took to Twitter to advise Gunners fans not to read too much into any speculation linking him with a move away this summer:

Bellerin's denial comes after reports emerged earlier on Thursday Barcelona were ready to make a formal offer for him, per Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t MailOnline's Dan Ripley).

Bellerin appeared to increase the speculation he will move to Barca when he recently admitted he was flattered by the interest, during an interview with Sport English: "It's huge praise to hear that, I've always said that. It's the club I grew up at from a young age, the best club in the world and their interest fills me with joy. It's flattering, of course."

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Bellerin, who was signed from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy by Arsenal, had already told Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro's Ewan Roberts) how his family moving back to Spain was making life difficult for him in England: "I have always been very happy (in London), my family settled over there with me, though now for family reasons they have returned to Barcelona. 

"Now I have a harder time, because I am a very family-orientated person. I depend a lot on them, and it will be a challenge being apart from them."

Arsenal need to keep Bellerin in the fold since the dynamic full-back can be a key part of manager Arsene Wenger's plans during the 2017/18 season. The Frenchman switched the Gunners from a back four to a 3-4-2-1 in April, a change that initially saw Bellerin replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the starting XI.

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However, he soon returned to the side and proved his worth as a raiding, attack-minded wing-back. Bellerin helped Arsenal win a third FA Cup in four seasons following a 2-1 win over Premier League champions Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in May.

He will surely be a useful part of a more fluid tactical structure for the Gunners in the new season. As one of the best young players at his position in the game, it's important Wenger, who values giving youth its chance, doesn't let Bellerin follow the route of Alexander Hleb, Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song, all of whom left Arsenal for Barcelona.