Spain international Hector Bellerin has dismissed speculation over a move to Barcelona by suggesting that he will remain an Arsenal player next season.
The Spain international who is rated at £50m, has been heavily linked with a return to Camp Nou despite having put pen to paper on a fresh six-and-a-half year deal with the Gunners back in November.
Former club Barcelona have struggled to find the perfect player on the right side of the defence since Dani Alves’ departure to Juventus last summer, and this has urged them to keep tabs on Bellerin – though the 22-year-old has no clue over the contact.
“I think so. I still have many years of contract at Arsenal and for now it is what it is,” he is quoted as saying by IB Times UK when asked whether he will be at Arsenal next season.
“I just signed a new deal earlier this season and I am at the disposal of the manager for whenever he needs. I do not know about the offers I get. My job is to focus on the pitch, what happens off it is something for my agent.”
The former La Masia graduate has recently found himself on the substitutes’ bench with manager Arsene Wenger tweaking to a defensive three, but he is nevertheless looking forward to the FA Cup final against Chelsea after his side got past Manchester City in the semi-final via a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday.
He added: “To play a final at Wembley against Chelsea is going to be very nice. I am looking forward to it. They defend a lot and are fast on the counterattack.
“We beat them 3-0 at the Emirates earlier in the season and we know we can do it again. In a final anything can happen.”
Bellerin’s view would bring a huge sigh of relief for the Arsenal faithful, but this is unlikely to prevent the Spanish champions from lodging a summer attempt as they seek to recruit a specialist right-back, who can adapt quickly to their style of play.
