Manchester City lining up move for Arsenal star Hector Bellerin
Manchester City, who had spent nearly £175m on new players this summer, are reportedly looking to splurge £150m next year, and their prime targets are Hector Bellerin, Leonardo Bonucci, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Arsenal right-back is also being monitored by his former club Barcelona.
Hector Bellerin has seen his stock value skyrocket since breaking into the Arsenal first team in the 2014-15 season. The 21-year-old, who was signed from Barcelona's youth team, has already made 80 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions and is rated as one of the best right-backs in the world at the moment—certainly in terms of pace and attacking intent.
With the rise in his popularity, Bellerin's future at the club has come under a lot of speculations. The Spaniard had signed a long-term contract with the club last season, which is set to keep him in London till 2019. However, reports suggest that both Manchester City and Barcelona are keenly monitoring his progress, and both the clubs could make an attempt to sign him next summer.
Barcelona, who lost Bellerin to a free transfer last season, have earmarked Bellerin as the long-term replacement for their Brazilian fullback Dani Alves. Versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto has played as a right-back this season for the Catalan club, and despite his consistent performance so far, he is not seen as a permanent solution to that role. However, knowing how difficult it might be to force Arsenal to sell Bellerin, Barcelona are keen to negotiate a deal with Valencia for their right-back Joao Cancelo as a backup option.
According to recent reports in England, Manchester City are now the frontrunners in the race to sign the Spanish international. Pep Guardiola is impressed by Bellerin's ability on the ball and is keen on signing him as the replacement for Bacary Sagna, who is 33, and Pablo Zabaleta, who is 31. According to the Times, Bellerin is also “weighing up his options at Arsenal and could reject a new deal with the club“. According to Telegraph, the London club are willing to offer a new contract to Bellerin worth £100,000 per week, however, City are likely to eclipse them with a bigger contract, like they have done so many times in the past while signing the likes of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and co.
Guardiola is also looking to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, who has also drawn interest from Chelsea, who are looking to reunite him with his former manager Antonio Conte. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also on City's radar for next summer. The Borussia Dortmund striker was linked with a move to Arsenal in the last transfer window, but a move failed to materialize.