Agent to ‘force his hand’ in order to get Arsenal star a move
Hector Bellerin’s agent is ready to up his game as he looks get his client a transfer away from Arsenal this summer, according to reports.
The Spaniard, who has been at the Emirates Stadium for ten years, has been linked with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, while Villarreal boss Unai Emery is also understood to be keen.
Arsenal and Bellerin’s performances were below par for much of last season with the Gunners finishing eighth in the Premier League table.
Gossip: Arsenal offer star in part-ex for £70m striker
There were reports in February that Bellerin is set to leave Arsenal this summer following talks with Mikel Arteta.
Inter Milan have recently emerged as the leading contenders for his signature with Simone Inzaghi keen on bringing the Spain international to the San Siro.
And Calciomercato have today claimed that Alberto Botines, Bellerin’s agent, is ‘ready to force his hand with Arsenal’ as he looks to manoeuvre an exit.
The report adds that Inter are considering PSV wing-back Denzel Dumfries as a possible alternative and that deal could be easier as the Dutch club have ‘already chosen the path of farewell’.
The main stumbling block for both deals seems to be Inter’s insistence that they want to loan the player with an obligation to buy, rather than stumping up the money this summer.
Meanwhile, Football Insider has claimed that Bellerin could be used by Arsenal ‘in part-exchange’ for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez this summer.
Arsenal ‘won’t be able to match Inter’s £75million valuation of Martinez’ and have decided to try and take advantage of the Serie A club’s interest in Bellerin.
Inter have already lost Achraf Hakimi to PSG this summer and the Gunners ‘are aware that Inter are strapped for cash and could have to offload another of their leading stars’.
With a deal for Ben White in the bag, bringing a striker into the club has now ‘become a priority for Mikel Arteta’ with the goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drying up last campaign.
Martinez should be able to provide that after contributing 17 goals and six assists last season in Serie A.