Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Keita Balde Diao and Hector Bellerin Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly locked in a battle against Real Madrid to re-sign former academy prospect Keita Balde Diao after the youngster was offered to them by Lazio. Meanwhile, Arsenal have tabled a new contract in a bid to keep Hector Bellerin out of the Catalans' clutches.

According to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo (h/t Gazzetta World), Barca "want to reinvest" in Balde, who left the Camp Nou for Rome five years ago.

Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

The Senegal international departed Barcelona in 2011 and has since established himself as a bright prospect in Serie A, scoring 15 goals in 103 senior appearances for Lazio.

Earlier this year, BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji provided quotes from Keita, who suggested he would one day be open to a Catalonia comeback:

Los Blancos could provide a real obstacle in negotiations, though, especially after Football Espana reported Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is scheduled to meet with Keita's representatives this Friday.

That report added Barca let the 21-year-old leave their ranks for just €300,000, but having grown his reputation considerably in five years with the Eagles, Keita would be expected to fetch a much larger sum now.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

There's news in the hunt for another Barca alumnus, too, after the Mirror's John Cross reported Arsenal have offered star right-back Bellerin a new contract in their effort to fend off Barcelona's prying eyes.

Barca are set to let veteran defender Dani Alves leave their ranks, and the Brazilian will need replacing. Sport Witness recently cited Spanish daily El Confidencial amid concerns the Spanish titans aren't playing entirely by the rules:

It's understandable the Blaugrana are reportedly interested in bringing Bellerin back to the Camp Nou given their need for a player boasting his qualities and the progress he's made in north London these past five years.

Bellerin left Barcelona in the same summer that Keita did (2011), and Bleacher Report's James McNicholas helped put into context the struggle Arsenal now face in convincing their man to stay:

After moving quickly to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has shown a strong intent to improve this summer ahead of another hopeful title charge in 2016-17.

However, Barcelona represent a certain guarantee when it comes to challenging for silverware, one the Gunners simply can't match, but Catalan native Bellerin may agree to new terms to end speculation of a return.