Barcelona have reportedly sent their technical director to watch former graduate Hector Bellerin in action when Arsenal host Bayern Munich in the Champions League, last 16, second-leg.
The Gunners trail the German champions by a 5-1 scoreline from the reverse fixture, and they will seek to earn a consolation win at the Emirates later tonight.
Bellerin, 21, has been on the Catalans’ radar since the start of the season, and according to Mundo Deportivo via the Express, the club will keep a close eye on his performance against the Bundesliga holders.
The Spain international left the famous La Masia academy for a move to the Gunners’ academy back in the summer of 2011, and he has since made the breakthrough to the first-team for whom he has turned out 87 times till date.
While Bellerin continues to be a regular in the Gunners setup this season, there is still uncertainty over his future next term if manager Arsene Wenger parts ways with the club.
The young right-back has credited the Frenchman for his excellent progress over the years, and it is this commitment which urged him to pen a fresh six-year contract earlier in the campaign.
Wenger is currently reported to have finalized a package over a two-year extension, but he has yet to formally sign the deal amid the unrest among the club’s faithful over recent results.
Bellerin has emerged as the best right-back option for the Gunners since Bacary Sagna left for Manchester City back in the summer of 2014, but the club face a stern test to keep hold of their asset next season with Barcelona likely to move in for his services.
La Liga holders Barcelona are on the search for an effective defender on the right side of the defence after having failed to replace Dani Alves, who left for Juventus on a Bosman in June 2016.
