Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Hector Bellerin and Lucas Perez
Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin reportedly opted to stay at the club amid interest from Manchester City after considering how other players fared after leaving the Emirates Stadium.
The promising defender agreed a new long-term contract with the Gunners in November, much to the delight to all those tied to the north London club. David Hytner of the Guardian has detailed how close the 21-year-old came to leaving and some of the key factors in his decision to stick around.
"He thought about [Gael] Clichy, [Bacary] Sagna and [Samir] Nasri, together with Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song," he noted. "Has the grass been greener for the first three at City? Did Fabregas' dream return to Barcelona really work out? Song also went to the Camp Nou, and he did not enjoy regular football.”
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Additionally, it’s suggested Bellerin feels tied to Arsenal and particularly manager Arsene Wenger. "He has not forgotten how the manager stood by him after his disastrous full debut in the Champions League defeat at Borussia Dortmund in September 2014 and his poor performance in the loss at Stoke City in December of that year," Hytner added.
It’s also noted that while Bellerin’s new contract will see him pick up a cool £115,000 per week, he could have taken home “substantially more at City.”
Bellerin’s importance to the Gunners has been proved this term when he’s not in the side, as the team has missed his blistering surges on the flank. As noted by Squawka Football, he made a fine recent return to the team:
The Spain international is already the standout right-back in the Premier League and a young footballer who could achieve world-class status in the game. Technically he is tremendous, defensively he’s made significant strides and in the final third his searing pace makes him a major threat for opponents.
As Hytner noted, City manager Pep Guardiola was keen to add Bellerin to his setup, viewing him as the ideal candidate to rejuvenate his team at the back. However, the full-back’s reasoning behind an Arsenal stay is sensible, and the Gunners fans will be delighted to know the player has an affinity for the football club.
Southampton Want Lucas Perez
According to Goal (h/t Calciomercato.com), Southampton are ready to make an audacious offer to sign Arsenal striker Lucas Perez in January.
It’s noted in the report the former Deportivo La Coruna man is frustrated by his lack of opportunities after his summer move to the Emirates Stadium and that Saints will seek to capitalise, with star striker Charlie Austin sidelined through injury.
As 101 Great Goals noted, when Perez has taken to the field for the Gunners, he hasn’t disappointed:
Indeed, the forward netted a fine hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League against FC Basel earlier in December, showcasing the predatory instincts and excellent movement that prompted Arsenal to move for him to begin with. However, with Alexis Sanchez thriving as a central striker, frequent chances have been rare for the player.
Not only does Perez have Sanchez to contend with up top, but Olivier Giroud is another option for Wenger. As such, he’s yet to score a Premier League goal this season.
The 28-year-old will surely see a lot more game time in the coming weeks. The festive period is intense for all teams, and managers will be forced into rotating their squads. Perez must ensure that when Wenger does call on him, he’s ready to prove he should be on the field more often.
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