Barcelona have all but confirmed that they'd like to re-sign players they've sold old as youngsters from their current clubs – including and especially Arsenal's Hector Bellerin.
Arsenal signed Bellerin from Barcelona's academy in 2011 for a reported fee of €500,000 and have seen him rise through the ranks at Colney to make the right-back in the first team his – keeping out the likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers over the past two seasons.
Bellerin has often been linked with a return to Barcelona but has always played it down citing that he's happy in London and enjoys playing for the Gunners – especially under Arsene Wenger. But that hasn't stopped the Catalans from regularly scouting and keeping tabs on him.
Barcelona's Vice President Jordi Mestre believes Bellerin has 'Barcelona's DNA' in him and the club could sign him in the coming years. “We’ve already seen him as a Cule! He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“Wenger convinced him to move (in 2011) and promised him something which we couldn’t. We could not promise him that within two years he would be playing in Dani Alves’ place."
Bellerin isn't the only one Arsenal have snapped from the La Masia academy having also signed Cesc Fabregas as a youngster before but Mestre thinks this is good for the club as it ensures their young ones get good game time in a first-team environment and could later rejoin the Catalans if needed.
“In many cases, it’s good that they leave to develop as players and then return [with that experience],” he added.
“Look at the cases of Cesc (Fabregas), (Gerard) Pique, (Jordi) Alba and Denis Suarez… I hope the same thing will happen with (Sergi) Samper, too.
“It’s positive that (these players) get minutes at other clubs. It is dynamic which has always provided good results for players that carry the Barca DNA in their blood.”
According to Spanish news outlet, SPORT, Arsenal value Bellerin as high as £40 million and a move with that valuation would make him the most expensive full-back in football history. Bellerin's contract with the club runs out in 2019 and the club are moving to tie him down to another long-term contract.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City is also interested in signing Bellerin from Arsenal but the North London club would prefer that should he leave, he leave to a club abroad and not one in England – especially not to a direct title rival like City.
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