Arsenal Transfer News: Hector Bellerin Discussed by Barcelona Chief Amid Rumours

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre has called Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin a “great player” amid further reports linking the full-back with a move back to the Camp Nou. 

The Spain star made the switch to the Emirates Stadium from Catalonia in 2011 as a 16-year-old and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League. Mestre has outlined the reasons why Bellerin moved on.

“We've already seen him as a Cule [Barcelona follower]," Mestre said, per ESPN FC. "He's a great player, there's no doubt about that. Wenger convinced him to move and promised him something which we couldn’t. We could not promise him that within two years he would be playing in Dani Alves' place.”

However, according to Sport (h/t Sport Witness), Arsenal are said to be “accustomed to selling” and may let the right-back return to Barcelona for €35 million (£30 million) next summer. Here’s a look at how the story was covered, per Sport Witness:

Indeed, Mestre cited examples of players who left Barcelona, before returning for a second spell and having success.

"Look at the cases of Cesc, [Gerard] Pique, [Jordi] Alba and Denis Suarez ... I hope the same thing will happen with [Sergi] Samper too," he said. "It's positive that [these players] get minutes at other clubs. It is a dynamic which has always provided good results for players that carry the Barca DNA in their blood."

It’s stated in the piece that Arsenal want to hold talks with Bellerin next month about extending his contract at the club, which runs until 2019. That’s reportedly prompted Barcelona into action, as they want to secure the defender’s signature before he agrees a new deal.

Arsenal would be loath to let Bellerin go, having identified his talent as a teenager, brought him to London and helped refine him into the player he’s now become.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

At the moment, it’s tough to think of a more effective right-back in English football. Bellerin’s main asset is his searing pace, giving Arsenal a penetrating threat with his bursts from deep on the right flank. But there are other areas of his game in which the Spain international has made refinements since making his way into the Gunners' first team.

In possession of the ball he’s much more composed, able to pick passes and jink past opponents. As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, he’s shown those traits on a consistent basis:

Defensively, Bellerin has become a lot smarter in his play. Although his pace compensates for poor positioning on occasion, he’s much more willing to engage in physical battles and makes more considered decisions in dangerous positions.

With that in mind, it’s little surprise Barcelona are said to be interested in securing the services of the player. While he may not be quite as effective as Dani Alves, now of Juventus, was in his absolute pomp, there are clear stylistic similarities between the two players.

Here’s how the two players compared statistically in league matches last season:

	Alves	Bellerin
Apps (Sub)	24 (5)	36
Goals	0	1
Assists	4	5
Dribbles per game	0.8	2.8
Key passes per game	0.7	0.5
Tackles per game	1.9	1.6
Interceptions per game	1.6	1.8

Bellerin could thrive at the Camp Nou, too. Not only would he be playing for his boyhood club, his game would be enhanced by lining up alongside some of the finest footballers in the world. However, as noted by Spanish football journalist Sergi Dominguez, in Sergi Roberto, Barca already have a brilliant option at right-back:

Of course, a move to Barcelona would appeal to Bellerin, as he’d likely become a building block in a side that would be consistently challenging for the top honours. In terms of style, longevity and quality, he ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to possible new signings.

Even so, Arsenal will want to keep him around as long as possible, and given just how well he’s developed at the Emirates, perhaps the youngster won’t be in a hurry to move back to his homeland should the chance present itself.