Barcelona are reportedly viewing Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin as a replacement for Emerson Royal, who is set to join Tottenham Hotspur on Deadline Day.

According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Barcelona have set their sights on signing a replacement for Emerson Royal before the summer transfer window slams shut. The Brazilian defender is set to join Tottenham Hotspur on Deadline Day, with Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin being eyed to arrive in his stead.

Hector Bellerin started out at Barcelona, having joined the club’s famed academy La Masia back in 2003. However, after sensing that first-team opportunities would not be forthcoming, he chose to join Arsenal in 2011 before going on to make his first-team debut for the Gunners two years later.

Since then, he has grown in stature considerably, making 239 appearances while chipping in with nine goals and 29 assists along the way. However, in the past year or so, the Spanish international has not been completely in favour at Arsenal and he has been keen on departing the Emirates this summer in search of a new adventure. As it turns out, Barcelona could offer him such an adventure.

The eagerness to sign a right-back might make sense for Barcelona, considering Emerson Royal is set to join Tottenham Hotspur on Deadline Day. And while Sergi Roberto could be an option to play as a right-back in case Sergino Dest is unavailable, it appears as if the Spanish international is likely to be utilised as a midfielder this summer.

Set to bid goodbye to Arsenal? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Set to bid goodbye to Arsenal? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

As a result, the interest in Bellerin is understandable, with Arsenal previously also showing an inclination to engineer a swap deal involving the Spaniard and Emerson. As for Bellerin himself, he is keen on calling it quits at the Emirates, which gives Barcelona the opportunity to snap him up on a cut-price fee.

For now, Bellerin’s name has simply appeared on Barcelona’s agenda and it will be interesting to see if they accelerate the process of re-signing the 26-year-old. What also remains to be seen is if Barcelona choose not to sign any right-back at all, seeing as Oscar Mingueza is capable of playing as one as well.

The only certainty for now is Bellerin’s desire to leave Arsenal before the summer transfer window slams shut and it will be interesting to see if he does end up sealing a return to Barcelona before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

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