Arsenal have set their sights on Norwich City starlet Max Aarons as they prepare for life without Hector Bellerin.
According to an exclusive report from CBS Sports, Hector Bellerin could be on the verge of an Arsenal exit in the summer. It is believed that Paris Saint-Germain are ready to rekindle their interest in the right-back, while FC Barcelona and two Serie A outfits have expressed a desire to secure his services.
Bellerin’s current contract at Emirates expires in 2023, but with PSG keen on acquiring his signature in the summer, Arsenal have already drawn up contingency plans. Norwich City starlet Max Aarons is being eyed as one of the potential candidates to replace Bellerin next season, should the Spaniard leave the club in the summer.
Part of the Arsenal unit since the age of 16, Bellerin is considered as one of the cult heroes at the club. However, he has endured a massive dip in quality in recent years due to injuries that have haunted his career.
Although the former Barcelona youth player has still remained the first-team regular under Mikel Arteta, it won’t be surprising to see the Arsenal manager offload the right-back in the summer.
Indeed, the 38-year-old tactician has already showcased his desire to undergo a major overhaul in the defensive unit, having already gotten rid of fringe players like Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi last month. The potential departure of Bellerin in the summer could be the next step as the Gunners steadily move towards a transition.
That is where Aarons proves to be an appealing target for the club. The young Englishman had already shone in the Premier League during the 2019/20 campaign and is playing a starring role in the club’s bid to secure promotion once again.
Although the Canaries are almost destined to return to Premier League next season, which, in turn, could provide the club with the incentive to demand a higher asking price, Aarons is a risk certainly worth taking – as far as Arsenal are concerned.
His pace, aggression and the ability to drive forward with the ball could be ideally suited to Arteta’s style of play. Having the experience of playing in the English-top flight, the right-back has already proven his credentials at the highest level of football and at the age of 21, he could be a smart long-term investment for the Gunners.
Arsenal, though, may need to sign a new left-back as well, given the poor injury-record of Kieran Tierney. Valencia sensation Jose Gaya has been the latest name to be linked with a move to Emirates, though a lot could depend on how many players the club manages to offload this summer.
