Hector Bellerin to Barcelona: Arsenal negotiating new deal to warn off interest in Spanish right back
With Dani Alves heading to Juventus defending La Liga champions are desperate for a replacement
ARSENAL are already in negotiation with Hector Bellerin over a new contract extension, according to reports in Spain.
Barcelona have huge interest in the 21-year-old after losing long-term right-back Dani Alves to Juventus on a free transfer.
However, , they won't be able to get their top target as the Gunners have already made contact with his representatives to hammer out a new deal.
Bellerin, who was named in the PFA Premier League team of the year last season after a brilliant campaign, has a contract until the end of 2019.
The Spaniard would be in line for a significant increase in his salary, while Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger would also like to extend his deal until at least 2021.
Bellerin would appear to be a perfect fit from the La Liga champions' point of view, given he trained at La Masia as a youth and is from the Catalan city.
Not only are Barcelona reeling from Alves' exit, there appears to be a lack of top class right-backs in the Brazilian's mould on the market.
Valencia right back Joao Cancelo is reported to be Barca's second-choice option at the position, which has become a top priority for sporting director Robert Fernandez.
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Bellerin is one player who could continue in Alves' footsteps but the Gunners are desperate to keep him with several clubs in need.
Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are also weak at the position.
Last season, Laurent Blanc often had to play centre-back Marquinhos at the position, with Gregory van der Wiel never reaching his potential - the Dutchman has now left PSG.