Barcelona have already spent €160m on the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Ravenha and Jules Conde this summer, but there could be more Camp Nou arrivals.
However, not all signings cost a transfer fee – just ask Andreas Christensen and Frank Kessie, who also arrived in Catalonia for free from Chelsea and AC Milan respectively.
Barcelona is ready to return to this market segment to bring Hector Bellerin back to the club from Arsenal.
Bellerin spent eight years at Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy before joining Arsenal in 2011, and it is understood that Arsenal would allow him to return to Barcelona for free if he agreed to personal terms.
FLAMIN’ HEC! 🔥Tweet embed: flash ⚡️#ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/MHuWEeIV4o
Arsenal January 19, 2019
“Barcelona knows Bellerin’s position, and his inclination is to be a Barcelona player,” wrote Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo.
“Although in principle the best bet is to try and sign [Thomas] Meunier, the arrival of the Belgian is complicated by Borussia Dortmund, who wants direct cash for the defender and will not accept the exchange deal with him [Sergino] destination
Bellerin is plan B
“And if Meunier is not viable, Barcelona already know that Bellerin is ready to sign. Even his salary would not be a problem, because he told them he would adapt to the club’s needs in terms of their salary bill.”
Bellerin played 239 games for Arsenal, winning three cups along the way, but has fallen behind in recent seasons and spent 2021/22 on loan with Barcelona’s rivals in La Liga, Real Betis.
Still only 27 years old, Bellerin remains one of the fastest players in the game, and his arrival would free Ronald Araujo to play his natural central defence.
Still in London at the moment, Bellerin has more offers than Barcelona, but moving home is his favourite.
He still has another year to play with his current deal with Arsenal, but the north London club are happy to terminate as long as Barcelona has results-based payments going forward.
