Arsenal's Hector Bellerin watched by Barcelona chief in their 2-0 win over Manchester United
Bellerin is ready to snub Manchester City in favour of a move to Barcelona.
Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez was spotted in North London to watch Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin in their 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates on 7 May. The full-back is hoping that he could return to Spain after spending six years in England.
The 22-year-old was forced to settle for a place on the bench as Arsene Wenger employed a three-man defence. The Frenchman reverted to a back four in the second half when the right-back replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 84<sup>th minute.
According to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Fernandez was aware that Bellerin will not start against Jose Mourinho's side. Despite that, he decided to travel to London with the hope of watching the player.
The Catalan club has long been interested in signing the full-back and are hoping to secure his signature in the summer.
They are not the only club interested in signing him as Arsenal's league rivals Manchester City are also keen on landing him. City director of football Txiki Begiristain has already informed Bellerin's agent Albert Botines on numerous occasions that Pep Guardiola wants his client at the Etihad.
Bellerin, however, is ready to snub advances from the Manchester club as he has set his sights on returning to Barcelona. In addition to this, City are Arsenal's league rivals and he would not prefer to join another club in the Premier League.
He left the Spanish club's academy and joined the Gunners in 2011. After spending two years in the English club's academy, Wenger promoted him to the first team in 2013.
In the last few seasons, Bellerin has been the first choice right-back and has featured regularly in that position. His form has seen him attract interest from Barcelona and City and the defender is interested in rejoining his former club.
He has set his sights on making it to the Spain squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Arsenal star believes his chances of sealing a berth in Julen Lopetegui's squad will be boosted if he swaps the north London club for Camp Nou after the end of the season.
Barcelona have failed to address their right-back position after Dani Alves left the club for Juventus in 2016. Fernandez believes Bellerin will be the ideal candidate to replace the Brazilian at the club.
Bellerin has made 37 appearances across all competitions for Wenger's side this season, which includes 29 appearances in the Premier League.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.