BARCELONA have held an “internal meeting” regarding a potential swoop for Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin, reports suggest.
Bellerin spent last season on loan at Real Betis and has fallen out of favour ever since his return to the Emirates with Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Cedric Soares ahead of him in the pecking order.
According to Sport, Barca are interested in the full-back and held talks as they consider a bid to sign him ahead of transfer deadline day on September 1.
Barcelona manager Xavi needs a new right-back urgently but the club has failed to land Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier and Villarreal’s Juan Foyth as they were deemed too expensive.
However, Bellerin, 27, has one year left in his Arsenal contract and thus carries a cheaper asking price.
The Spain international is also considered a sensible solution as he understands the “Barca way” after coming out of the club’s famous La Masia academy.
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The 27-year-old is keen to leave the Gunners and go back to his homeland but would prefer a return to Betis.
The Spaniard enjoyed a successful loan stint in Seville as he helped Manuel Pellegrini’s men win the Copa del Rey.
Bellerin is so desperate to depart from the Emirates that he even asked the North Londoners to terminate his £110k-a-week contract.
Barcelona look set to offload Sergino Dest, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United.
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That will open up space for Bellerin’s potential return to the Nou Camp.
The defender has amassed a total of 239 appearances during his 10-year stint at Arsenal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
