Arsenal could be bracing themselves for a busy transfer period with Manchester City prepared to step up their interest in promising right-back Hector Bellerin.
The Spain international has had an average 2016/17 season by his standards, but he has regained his old self of late after having replaced the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at right wing-back.
Spanish publication Sport suggests that the Citizens will make the first move to sign the right-sided defender with Pep Guardiola having underlined Bellerin as the top option to bolster the backline.
Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna are due to leave on a free transfer this summer, and the club are in desperate need of reinforcements following their failure to provide a decent Premier League challenge.
Bellerin has regularly showcased his loyalty towards Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, but it is suggested that a fee of around £34m could be sufficient to lure the Spaniard from the clutches of the north London club.
The 22-year-old inked a fresh six-and-a-half year deal at the Emirates earlier this campaign, but this has not diminished interest from his potential suitors with former club Barcelona also in the hunt for his services.
Manchester City are due to test the Gunners’ resolve following the FA Cup final versus Chelsea on Saturday, but they do have a backup option in hand with Benfica’s Nelson Semedo also on their transfer wishlist.
Bellerin is a likely candidate to start in a potential four-man defence for Arsenal this weekend following an injury crisis which has left them with just two central defenders in Per Mertesacker and Rob Holding to choose from.
