Barcelona Transfer News: Hector Bellerin Reportedly Wanted Amid Latest Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly preparing to go back in for Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin and believe they could snap him up if Arsene Wenger departs as manager in the summer. 

Per Mundo Deportivo (via Goal), Bellerin is being eyed by Barca as a potential long-term replacement for Dani Alves—who left the Camp Nou for Juventus last summer—and the uncertainty surrounding Wenger's future could play into the Blaugrana's hands.

The Spain international started his career in Barcelona's La Masia academy before leaving for the Emirates Stadium in 2011.

The 21-year-old has regularly been linked with a return to Barca—most recently in October 2016, per Paul Hirst in The Times—but he then penned a deal at the Emirates to 2023 to halt speculation over his future, per Jeremy Wilson in The Telegraph.

However, Barca are now in desperate need of a new right-back, and Bellerin has inevitably emerged as a prime target.

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Sergi Roberto—traditionally a central midfielder—is manager Luis Enrique's only reliable option on the right of defence as Aleix Vidal recently suffered an ankle injury that is set to keep him sidelined for five months, per BBC Sport.

Deportivo La Coruna's Juanfran was initially touted as an emergency replacement for Vidal, along with Malaga's Roberto Rosales, per Sport.

However, Bellerin is potentially seen as a long-term solution to Barca's right-back issues that have emerged since Alves departed.

Vidal had only just earned the confidence of Luis Enrique before he was injured, with Roberto having started the lion's share of La Liga games in 2016-17—16 starts to Vidal's five, per WhoScored.com.

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2016-17	18 (2)	1,613	-	2
2015-16	36	3,240	1	5
2014-15	17 (3)	1,562	2	1

Bellerin could come in as a ready-made starting right-back. He has Barca DNA, boasts excellent defensive and attacking acumen and is already experienced at the highest level having been a key part of Arsenal's first team for the past three seasons.

If Wenger does depart at the end of the season, then Bellerin could be tempted by a return to Barcelona, but Arsenal are unlikely to let him go easily.

Given he only recently signed a new contract, Arsenal would have every right to demand a huge transfer fee for him, which could prove prohibitive for the Blaugrana no matter how much they want him.