Barcelona’s hopes of signing Arsenal fullback Hector Bellerin have recently taken a big blow, according to reliable Catalan journalist Gerard Romero.
Bellerin continues to be Barcelona’s main right-back target, a position that is yet to be properly filled since Dani Alves’ departure to Juventus. However, Arsenal’s demands and Arsene Wenger’s contract extension are proving to be major stumbling blocks.
Barcelona reportedly do not want to meet Arsenal’s hefty valuation for the 22-year old defender. As a result, the Catalan side are now looking at more affordable options to compete with Aleix Vidal for the right-back position.
Still, Bellerin reportedly remains hopeful that a transfer will be able to get done and that he’ll be able to rejoin his childhood club by the end of the summer. Should Bellerin leave Arsenal, that will leave the Gunners with another big transfer conundrum for the summer.
Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy are the only other senior rightbacks on the books, but they do not seem to figure in Wenger’s plans for next season.
The returning Calum Chambers could also deputise on the right if needed, but his long-term future should lie in the middle of the defence.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also an option should Wenger stick with a 3-4-3 formation, but his future is also unclear.
