New suitors emerge as knockdown price suggested for Arsenal defender

Granit Xhaka, Hector Bellerin Chelsea v Arsenal January 2020

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has been tipped to leave Arsenal this summer and the race is hotting up for his signature.

The 26-year-old is the Gunners’ longest-serving player but may well be on borrowed time at the Emirates. Capped four times by Spain, he has made 234 appearances for the club and scored nine goals. But Mikel Arteta seems to be losing faith with the right-back. The defender has been benched for the past five top-flight games, with Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares now ahead of him.

However, he has still enjoyed 30 outings in all competitions this term and may return to play a part. Earlier this week, journalist Fabrizio Romano – a transfer rumours specialist – gave his thoughts on Bellerin’s future.

And the Italian suggested that Paris Saint-Germain could be his next destination. The French club’s transfer guru Leonardo ‘held an interest’ last summer but nothing materialised.

But he has been tipped to return for the former Watford loan man. However, new suitors have emerged in the form of Juventus, according to Calciomercato.

The report adds that that Arsenal have given Bellerin ‘the green light’ to move on this summer. And it suggests that Juve might need to find just €20m to get a deal over the line.

Whether that price is accurate only time will tell but an exit does appear likely.

Hakimi in for Bellerin?

If Bellerin does exit north London in the off-season, Arteta is said to have a replacement in mind. The player in question is Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi.

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The 22-year-old is enjoying a superb season for Inter, with six goals from 36 outings in all competitions. And last month, the Morocco international’s agent suggested a move for the defender is unlikely to happen.

“Hakimi is happy at Inter with Conte, who is an excellent coach,” Alejandro Camano told Radio Kiss Kiss. “Conte’s style of play suits Achraf and I think he will end up improving a lot because of this experience with the Nerazzurri.”

Regardless of whether Hakimi is recruited, former Gunner Bacary Sagna feels Bellerin will leave.

Achraf Hakimi, Inter

“Hector has been there for years,” he told Goal last month. “He started playing not long after I left, so he has been in the team for like six years.

“And a bit like I felt, he probably feels that he wants to challenge himself because he has been there for a long time.”

Arsenal face Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday before taking on Sheffield United on Sunday.

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