Arsenal tell Barcelona Hector Bellerin is NOT for sale and are confident defender will remain at the Emirates
The Spanish right-back has been heavily linked with a £45million move to the Catalan giants for a number of months
ARSENAL have told Barcelona that highly-rated right-back Hector Bellerin is not for sale and will remain at the Emirates, according to reports.
Bellerin, 22, has been heavily linked with a move back to the Nou Camp after becoming a key player in Arsene Wenger's team.
But the are reporting that the Gunners have made clear they will not flog the Spaniard this summer for any price.
Barca are keen to land the defender who began his career at the Catalan club before moving to North London in 2011.
The La Liga giants have reportedly also put self-imposed budgets on themselves for the summer transfer window and can only splash out around £75m on new recruits.
And with the club wanting PSG star Marco Verratti, it looks like they may have to end their pursuit of Bellerin for the time being.
And Bellerin also signed a new six-year deal with the Gunners last year that has meant his price has become inflated.
Barca are still likely to test Arsenal's resolve by offering £20million plus Rafinha for the Spain Under-21s star.
There were reports earlier in the week that Bellerin had bought a new house on the Catalan close that suggested he was preparing for a move to Barca.
most read in football
Barca's new boss Ernesto Valverde was keen to bring in Bellerin as the club have failed to replace Dani Alves since he joined Juventus last season.
Wenger will be desperate to keep Bellerin as he looks to stop his best players from leaving.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil's situations are still unclear as they both are yet to commit their futures to the club.