Arsenal are reportedly extremely close to tying down star defender Hector Bellerin to a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
According to Hector Bellerin’s agent Albert Botines, who spoke to the Guardian, the youngster is close to signing an extension at Arsenal. The 21-year-old was heavily linked with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City in the summer, but it appears he has decided to stay put in North London.
After spending a staggering nine years at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Bellerin decided to make the move to London. He was offered his first professional contract in 2013, two seasons after joining the Gunners’ academy.
Since then, Bellerin has gone from strength to strength and has developed into one of the best right-backs in England’s top flight. His work-rate has been second to none and he has often acted as an auxiliary winger, giving Wenger’s side much needed guile in the final third.
The 2015/16 campaign was undeniably the Bellerin’s best thus far and he was duly rewarded with a place in the PFA Team of the Year. The Spaniard has started this season impressively too and has helped Arsenal remain unbeaten since the opening day defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
Despite having three years left on his contract, Barcelona were understood to have been keeping tabs on the defender. Manchester City too, under the tutelage of new boss Pep Guardiola, were interested in signing a multi-functional right-back such as Bellerin, with Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna in the twilight of their careers.
However, the two clubs will now have to look elsewhere as the Arsenal man is set to commit his future to the club. Wenger has repeatedly said that Bellerin will not be leaving and he can finally back up his claims after the defender puts pen to paper in the not-so-distant future.
