Arsenal have reportedly asked Barcelona for Marc Cucurella and Arda Turan in exchange for Hector Bellerin.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Arsenal will ask for two players within different setups at Barcelona to let Hector Bellerin move to Camp Nou in the summer transfer window, seeking Marc Cucurella and Arda Turan in exchange for the defender.
Bellerin enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks at Arsenal before establishing himself as a regular fixture in Arsene Wenger’s first-team squad. In fact, the last two seasons saw Bellerin being rated as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, if not Europe.
However, much like Arsenal’s capitulation in the current campaign, Bellerin has endured a massive fall from grace. After returning from an unfortunate ankle injury, the 22-year-old seems to have lost an ounce of pace, which has not only made him susceptible at the back but has also taken the bite out of his attacking pursuits.
However, that has not detered Barcelona from eyeing a summer move for Bellerin, as they believe that he is just the solution at right-back that they have been looking for ever since the departure of Dani Alves last summer.
Indeed, the right side of defence has presented a fair few problems to the Catalan club this season, with Aleix Vidal failing to impress Luis Enrique. And while Sergi Roberto has done well in a makeshift role on most occasions, he is likely to return to a place in the centre of the park next season.
Thus, Bellerin makes for the perfect solution at right-back for Barcelona. However, the Blaugranas are unwilling to pay the €40 million that is being asked for exchange for his services. As a result, Arsenal are now set to propose a swap deal that includes two players within the senior and youth setups at Barcelona – Arda Turan and Marc Cucurella.
Turan’s career seems to have stalled ever since he made the dream move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid. In fact, the Turkish midfielder has managed to start just 16 games in all competitions for the La Liga giants this season, having had to compete with Denis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Andre Gomes for a place in the lineup.
As a result, it is being speculated that Turan could be on his way out of Barcelona in the summer. Arsenal have been long-time admirers of the player’s talents and tried signing him before he made the switch to Camp Nou.
And with Barcelona interested in Bellerin, they sense the opportunity has arrived to finally secure the services of a player who is still rated highly at the Emirates. However, Turan isn’t the only player who Arsenal is asking for, with Marc Cucurella being another subject of interest from the North London club.
Cucurella is one of the most exciting young prospects to have emerged out of the famed La Masia setup in recent seasons. And he has already broken in the Barcelona B side despite being all of 18.
However, despite being coveted within the Barcelona setup, Cucurella could leave the club this summer when his contract expires. Barcelona are eager to secure his services for the long-term future, but the youngster is believed to be adamant to make the move.
As a result, Arsenal are ready to pounce on the opportunity to poach the player in exchange for another La Masia graduate in Bellerin. It now remains to be seen if Barcelona agree to such a deal, as Arsenal eye reinforcements in defence in midfield as part of one deal for Bellerin.
