Revealed: Arsenal star who could make Barcelona transfer before deadline
FT Desk
- 31 Aug 2022 14:30 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona have already spent €160 million on the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde this summer, but there could be yet more arrivals at Camp Nou.
Not all signings cost a transfer fee, though - just ask Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, who also arrived in Catalonia on frees from Chelsea and AC Milan respectively.
And Barca are ready to dip back into that part of the market in order to bring Hector Bellerin back to the club from Arsenal.
Bellerin spent eight years in Barcelona's La Masia youth academy before joining Arsenal in 2011, and it is understood the Gunners would let him return to Barca on a free should he agree personal terms.
FLAMIN' HEC! 🔥@HectorBellerin: The Flash ⚡️#ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/MHuWEeIV4o
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 19, 2019
"Barca knows Bellerin's situation, and his predisposition is to be a Barca player," writes Mundo Deportivo's Ferran Martinez.
"Although in principle the best bet is to try and sign [Thomas] Meunier, the Belgian's arrival is complicated by Borussia Dortmund, who want straight cash for the defender and won't accept an echange deal with [Sergino] Dest.
Bellerin is Plan B
"And if Meunier is not viable, Barca already know that Bellerin is willing to sign. Even his salary will not be a problem, since he has told them he'll adapt to what the club need in terms of their wage bill."
Bellerin has made 239 appearances for Arsenal, winning three FA Cups along the way, but he has fallen out of favour in recent seasons and spent 2021/22 on loan with Barca's La Liga rivals Real Betis.
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Still just 27, Bellerin remains one of the quickest players in the game, and his arrival would free up Ronald Araujo to play his more natural role at centre-back.
Bellerin remains in London for now, and has more offers than Barcelona's, but a move home is his preference.
He still has one more year to run on his current Arsenal deal, but the North London club are happy to terminate as long as Barca have results-based payments going forward.
