Arsenal full-back Nacho Monreal insists that his fellow compatriot Hector Bellerin will stay put at the Emirates next season despite the ongoing pursuit from former club Barcelona.
Bellerin, 22, has been heavily linked with a return home this summer with his Spain under-21 teammate Denis Suarez highlighting that the player is torn over a decision to join Barcelona.
The former La Masia student currently has six more years left on his Gunners deal, and Monreal is certain that the right-back will remain in north London for the 2017/18 campaign.
“He’s an Arsenal player and almost certainly he will continue here. Hector is a very important player for us and the boss has already reiterated that he counts on him,” he told Metro, via Mundo Deportivo.
Arsenal are already in a fix over the contract status of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, and Bellerin’s uncertainty is the last thing that would be their concern.
The young full-back has repeatedly expressed his loyalty towards manager Arsene Wenger, and this puts the club in a strong position to ward off any potential interest from Catalonia.
Bellerin had a mixed campaign with the FA Cup holders last season as he struggled to find his best form following an early season injury versus Tottenham Hotspur.
However, he still managed to play a key role in the backend of the campaign, and looked to have gained some momentum following the shift to the right wing-back spot.
Bellerin who is rated at £44m, has turned out 113 times for the north London giants since his breakthrough spell under Wenger during the 2014/15 campaign.
