Arsenal are reportedly prepared to accept a fee of around £42m in order to offload star full-back Hector Bellerin in the summer. The Spain international inked a six-and-a-half year deal with the Gunners earlier in the season.
Bellerin, 22, has been the subject of interest from both Manchester City and Barcelona in recent weeks with the latter deemed to be a favourable destination for the Spaniard.
According to Mundo Deportivo, via Metro, the north London club are not keen on losing their key asset during the summer transfer window, but could be urged to sell, should the player push for a potential exit.
Bellerin has recently admitted that he is overwhelmed by the ‘Special’ interest from former club Barca, but he is nevertheless prepared to stick with the FA Cup semi-finalists for the time being.
The former La Masia student is understood to have a close relationship with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, and Mundo Deportivo believe that his future could be dependent on the status of the manager.
Wenger currently has a contract at the Emirates until the summer, and there is every possibility that he could turn down a fresh deal owing to the negative atmosphere surrounding the club.
Bellerin has previously heaped praise on the head coach for his development into a top-class right-back and Wenger’s departure could urge the Spaniard to look for fresh pastures elsewhere.
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez had watched the player in action during Arsenal’s 5-1 Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich earlier last month, and he has since held secret talks with the full-back over a potential deal.
Bellerin has managed over 100 appearances for the Gunners since making his breakthrough during the 2014-15 season. He has also garnered three caps with the Spain national side but remains an outsider to make the World Cup squad in a year’s time.
