La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of re-signing Hector Bellerin from Arsenal this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Hector Bellerin is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants have identified the Arsenal defender as a potential alternative for Cesar Azpilicueta, who might remain at Chelsea in the 2022/23 season.
Hector Bellerin spent most of his formative years with Barcelona before graduating from the Arsenal academy nearly a decade ago. The 27-year-old has endured a topsy turvy ride at the north London club since then. While he showcased the quality to be an Arsenal great, injuries and poor form have impacted his status at the Emirates.
The Spaniard spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Real Betis, providing five assists in 32 outings for the Andalusian club. Bellerin is now back at Arsenal but wants to depart from the Emirates, with Real Betis his preferred destination. However, Barcelona could provide Bellerin with an alternative option this summer.
The Catalan giants want to sign a right-back this summer following the departure of Dani Alves. The veteran Brazilian defender’s exit has left Xavi Hernandez with Sergi Roberto and Sergino Dest as his right-back options. But while Roberto has regressed considerably in the last few years, Dest faces an uncertain future at FC Barcelona.
Barcelona thus looked at Cesar Azpilicueta to solve the right-back problems, with recent reports claiming that the Blaugrana had been closing in on signing the Chelsea captain. But Thomas Tuchel has created a stumbling block for Barcelona after suggesting he might block Azpilicueta’s move to Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants thus need to identify alternatives for the Spanish international, with Bellerin among the candidates on their radar. In addition to Bellerin, Denzel Dumfries and Hugo Mallo are also among Barcelona’s targets. But the Arsenal defender might be a solid option for Barcelona as he has La Liga experience and can provide the prime years of his career to them.
But with Bellerin pushing to join Real Betis, Barcelona will have an uphill task to convince the 27-year-old to return to Catalonia instead of moving to the Benito Villamarin Stadium. It will be interesting to see if they seriously pursue alternatives for Azpilicueta in the coming weeks.
