Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Hector Bellerin and M'Baye Niang

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has seemingly committed his long-term future to the Gunners by saying he’d shun the advances of Barcelona if they came calling.

The Spaniard spent eight years in Catalonia with Barca’s youth setup before Arsenal prised him away from the Camp Nou, where his loyalties no longer lie.

During an interview with German outlet DW-TV’s YouTube channel (via Tom Olver of Metro), Bellerin said that if Barcelona telephoned him to talk about a potential transfer, he’d simply ignore the call: “If Barcelona contact me right now? I won’t pick up the phone.”

Bellerin has become one of Arsenal’s best assets in recent years, with his performances this term putting him up there with the best right-backs in the business.

And as he’s just 21 years of age, the future looks exciting. However, manager Arsene Wenger will be hoping said future is spent at the Emirates.

Back in the summer, Bellerin was linked with moves to both Barcelona and Manchester City, where his salary would almost certainly have rocketed.

Even so, he remains an Arsenal player, and Wenger is hoping to reward his loyalty with a new long-term deal in the not-too-distant future, via Olver:

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We will try to extend his contract, his long-term future is here. He has been absolutely fantastic. His first game was a nightmare. The season before he was at Watford where he didn’t play.

His progress has been brilliant because he has absolutely top mental strength. He is at a team that meets his needs and values. He came at a very young age. He is an Arsenal player.

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FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

While Bellerin’s comments to DW-TV were slightly in jest, his value to Arsenal is no joking matter.

In many ways, he’s the perfect full-back: he’s attack-minded yet never neglects his defensive responsibilities, and, of course, he’s quick.

Wenger should try to tie Bellerin down officially before the Spaniard has the chance to think about picking his phone up.

Elsewhere, Arsenal have once again been linked with a new front man ahead of the January transfer window.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb (via Liam Corless of Daily Mirror), the Gunners will lay down an offer for AC Milan striker M’Baye Niang in the new year.

Dino Panato/Getty Images

Niang has scored three goals and created two more in Serie A so far this term, per WhoScored.com, with his explosive performances winning plaudits across Europe.

The 21-year-old is valued around €35 million.

Arsenal have once again started the Premier League season in fine fettle, with players such as Bellerin putting together exciting and ruthless performances.

But this tends to be the same old story for Gunners fans, who want to see January investment to give them a real chance of earning silverware this term.

A clinical striker, as always, will be right at the top of their wish list.