Politics
Hector Bellerin could quit Arsenal this summer due to ‘verbal pact’ with Arteta amid PSG and Barcelona transfer interest
HECTOR BELLERIN could leave Arsenal in the summer as he will have Mikel Arteta’s blessing to do so.
The pair have a close relationship and Bellerin promised he would stay for one more season in the summer of 2020.
Barcelona and PSG were reported suitors of the right-back at the beginning of the season, and Bellerin was keen to make the switch.
His manager persuaded him to stay, promising the Spaniard he would get his move if the clubs made a bid in the summer coming up, according to ESPN.
PSG have denied a claim suggesting they made a £30million bid for the 25-year-old.
His former club Barcelona have frequently been linked with a move for Bellerin, so much so that the Gunners have targeted a replacement.
The likes of Max Aarons, Tariq Lamptey and Hacrif Hakimi could all be suitable additions for Arsenal if Bellerin was to leave.
Bellerin and his teammates have struggled this season, and Arteta’s side have gone backwards in the league.
It may be difficult to persuade the full-back to stay on for yet another year.
But Arsenal did produce an excellent comeback in the Europa League Round of 32 against Benfica on Thursday.
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If they win that competition they will qualify for the Champions League.
Returning to Europes biggest stage is surely a goal for Bellerin, though the prospect of returning to his home – Barcelona – may be impossible to turn down.
