Barcelona and Real Madrid target Hector Bellerin’s Arsenal future will be heavily dependent on whether they qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
According to a report in Mundo Deportivo, whether or not Arsenal secure fourth place on the final day of the season will have a huge impact on the Spaniard’s future. If they fail to qualify for the Champions League, it would significantly increase Barcelona’s chances of acquiring Bellerin.
Arsenal currently sit at fifth place on the Premier League table with 72 points to their name, a point behind fourth placed Liverpool and 2 points behind Manchester City who are third. Arsenal cannot afford to drop any points if they wish to stand a chance in qualifying for the Champions League.
Liverpool face Middlesbrough at Anfield on Sunday and Manchester City face Watford at Vicarage Road. Should the Reds lose or draw against Boro, Arsenal would secure fourth place.
This is also depends on Arsenal beating Everton. Though not impossible, it will require a small miracle for the Gunners to qualify. If the Gunners were to finish fifth, it would be the first time they have failed to qualify for Europe’s top competition since 1996.
It is no secret that Bellerin has been one of Barcelona’s top targets in the summer to replace Dani Alves and their failure to sign a right-back over the course of the previous two transfer windows will likely force them to make an even stronger push for the 22-year-old this summer.
Given Arsenal’s current situation, it looks increasingly likely that their top stars will leave in the summer in search of bigger pay packages and European football. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are yet to sign contract extensions and Bellerin, whose contract runs till 2022, could show himself the door if the right offer comes his way.
Arsenal are rumoured to be monitoring LOSC Lille right-back Sebastien Corchia and Atletico Madrid right-back Sime Vrsaljko and are said to be considering them as a possible replacements for Hector Bellerin, in the event that he leaves the Emirates.
Besides Barcelona, the biggest name to have emerged as a possible contender for his signature are European Champions Real Madrid. Dani Carvajal has virtually no competition for the starting XI and Danilo hasn’t quite had the impact Zidane would have hoped.
So in order to bolster the right-back position, Los Blancos are considering making a move for the Spanish international and willing to offer Danilo in exchange. Given Bellerin’s history with Barcelona, securing his signature would be considered a huge triumph at the Bernabeu.
If Arsenal secure Champions League qualification, then they would hold the upper hand in discussing any possible transfer for their player but if they don’t, they risk losing him on the cheap, despite having 5 seasons left on his contract. Arsene Wenger’s future may also play a role in deciding Bellerin’s future, but it is increasingly begin to look like this will be a test of the Spaniard’s loyalty to the Arsenal.
