After being heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin signs a bumper six-and-a-half-year extension at the club
According to James Olley of the Evening Standard, Hector Bellerin has fended off interest from Manchester City and Barcelona to agree a contract extension at Arsenal. The defender will reportedly make £100,000 per week and will stay put at the club until the end of the 2022/23 season.
Spanish giants Barcelona saw the 21-year-old as an ideal first choice right-back, but will now have to hunt elsewhere as Bellerin has committed his future to the North London side.
Manchester City too, have two ageing defenders in Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna in that position, and could have benefited from the acquisition of someone like Bellerin. It also appeared that Pep Guardiola’s presence at the Etihad Stadium may prove to be enough to lure Bellerin away from Arsenal.
This will come as great news to Arsene Wenger who has seen many an upcoming talent leave the club. Despite stating that Bellerin would not be leaving Arsenal, doubts still loomed about whether or not the defender would sign an extension.
The Arsenal boss appeared to have stalled any extension talks for the time being, but there has been a lot of progress in the last 24 hours, and the player is delighted to have signed a new contract.
Yess Gunners!! I’ve just signed my new contract. I’ll be giving all my reaction right now on my Snapchat (@HectorBellerin) & a giveaway❤️ pic.twitter.com/xiZuD11wMD
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) November 21, 2016
Bellerin will undoubtedly be relieved to put the transfer speculation behind him, but he will not be able to play for four more weeks due to an injury he picked up in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners faithful will be hoping that the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez follow the footsteps of Bellerin and commit their long-term futures to the club. Both players seem to be playing hard ball by holding out for wages in excess of £200,000-a-week, if they are to sign extensions at the Emirates Stadium.
