Arsenal’s right back Hector Bellerin was furious with Arsene Wenger, after the Gunners’ Boss benched him in the 2-1 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Bellerin expected to start against the Seagulls having lined up as the Gunners’ right-back in training exercises the day before the game but Calum Chambers was named in his spot instead. Wenger informed Bellerin of the decision at the same time as the rest of the squad when the announcement was made two hours before kick-off.
This fallout has led to Bellerin wanting a way out of Arsenal, as he believes he was made the scapegoat for the club’s poor run of form.
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While initially Barcelona and Juventus were going head-to-head for the Spanish full back, reports claim that Juventus have pulled out of the running, as the Italian giants are reportedly not willing to match Bellerin’s wage demands, and have instead set their sights on other potential transfer targets.
A former Barca youth product, they’ve been long term admirers of Bellerin. With the World Cup coming up, Bellerin already finds Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto and even Real Sociedad’s Alvaro Odriozola all sitting ahead of him in the pecking order. After having endured a tough spell with the Gunners, Bellerin also believes a change of club would help change his fortunes.
Bellerin still has five years remaining in the six-and-a-half year deal he signed in late 2016, a factor that leaves the Gunners in a strong position to demand a high fee.
That was the reason they were able to rebuff Barca’s advances last summer, when the player was desperate to leave but Barcelona unwilling to come up with the fee of at least £40m it would have taken to persuade Arsenal bosses to do business.
