Arsenal Transfer News: Hector Bellerin Valued at €60 Million in Latest Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly valued Barcelona target Hector Bellerin at €60 million, and the Spaniard could cost the Catalan giants a further €30 million in wages if they can prise him away from the Gunners.

According to Ramiro Aldunate and Euan McTear of Marca, Bellerin is one of Barca's top targets as they seek a new right-back this summer, but after he signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium his value has become substantial.

While the Spanish side believe they can negotiate a slightly lower fee, they would also need to offer him a five-year deal that matches his improved wages. As a result, "there are some in the club's hierarchy who have reservations" about such a costly deal, which could add up to around €90 million in total.

The Gunners are eager to keep hold of the 21-year-old, who they snapped up from Barca's La Masia academy, and "consider him a potential future captain."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed links with Barcelona out of hand, per Goal's Chris Wheatley:

The defender broke into Arsenal's side in the 2014-15 season and rapidly established himself as a key fixture in their back line.

Indeed, Squawka's Mitch Waddon picked out Bellerin as one of just a handful of Gunners stars who would be secure in their status at the club during a managerial transition:

The Spaniard performed fairly solidly this year but has perhaps struggled to kick on as the club would have hoped.

As Squawka demonstrated, Bellerin's defensive numbers have declined thus far in comparison to last season:

	2015-16	2016-17
Apps	36	21
Minutes	3,240	1,712
Tackles per game	1.31	0.62
Interceptions per game	1.83	1.52
Headed Duels per game	1.06	1
Clearances per game	2.92	1.95
Chances Created per game	0.61	0.67
Take-Ons per game	1.75	1.43
Passing Accuracy	86%	84%

While he has created slightly more chances per game than last year, his final ball is also still somewhat lacking—he has some way to go before he's as effective in the final third as former Barcelona star Dani Alves, for example.

His desire to maraud forward is reminiscent of the Brazilian, though. Former Premier League player Daniel Gabbidon noted his runs during Arsenal's recent 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich:

Bellerin has great potential and is familiar with Barcelona and their philosophy because of his experience of coming through the academy, but the cost of signing him could be prohibitive even to them.

Arsenal will indeed hope the Blaugrana are forced to look at cheaper alternatives because of their valuation. 

The defender still has room to improve, but can be a real asset to the Gunners if they can keep him.