Barcelona have been accused of ‘unsettling’ Arsenal right-back and defensive transfer target Hector Bellerin.
Bellerin, a recent call-up to Spain’s Euro 2016 squad in place of the injured Dani Carvajal, has impressed since breaking into the Arsenal first team midway through the 2014/15 season.
The 21-year-old spent eight years at Barcelona since joining the club as an eight-year old in 2003, and is expected by many to eventually return to the club, akin to the situation involving former midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who rejoined the Spaniards after leaving as a youngster.
Barcelona have distanced themselves from a move for Bellerin, but reports in their native Spain have criticised the club for their pursuit of the defender.
El Confidencial claims that Barcelona have ‘disrespected’ Arsenal ‘by going behind their back and contacting the defender’. The club approached Bellerin directly, also foregoing his agent.
Barca transfer chief Robert Fernandez said recently: “We always respect the club and the player.”
El Confidencial go on to claim that while the Spanish league champions are fully aware that Arsenal will not sell Bellerin, they continue to pursue him, thereby ‘unsettling’ him.
The right-back’s call-up to the Spain squad has merely strengthened Barcelona’s resolve to re-sign him, it is claimed.
Football365, Credit to Sport Witness for all translations of the original El Confidencial article.
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