adminLONDON. – Héctor Bellerín is close to agreeing a contract extension at Arsenal after his agent held productive talks in London last week. The Spain defender has been in sparkling form for Arsène Wenger’s side this season, helping them remain unbeaten since the opening day of the English Premier League soccer season.
Catalonia-born Bellerín, who joined Arsenal in 2011 as a teenager, still has almost three years remaining on his contract but has been heavily linked with Barcelona.
Last month Wenger admitted that offering the 21-year-old an extension to his current deal was a priority and it is understood that negotiations have been progressing well, although an agreement has still to be signed. Bellerín’s agent, Albert Botines, was in London last week to hold talks with Arsenal officials and he expects the right-back to commit his future to the north London club.
“We are speaking and are now a lot closer than we were two weeks ago. In a normal situation he will sign,” Botines told Guardian sport. – The Guardian.
“Héctor is very happy at Arsenal. This would be the fourth time he has signed a new contract at the club and it is clear he has made good progress.”
Manchester City were also linked with an approach for Bellerín in the summer after he made 36 Premier League appearances for Arsenal last season.
He was surprisingly not included in the Spain squad who will face England at Wembley next week and will instead feature for the Under-21 side when they face Austria in a play-off to qualify for next summer’s European Championships.
Arsenal are also closing in on reaching an agreement with Mesut Ozil over a new deal, making him the highest-paid player at the club.
Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez is next on their list for a new contract, and hope to have something in place within the next few months.
Bellerin has been wanted by his boyhood club Barcelona since last summer following a breakout season at Arsenal.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is also a huge admirer and had hoped to launch a bid to sign him in the coming months.
But the Spanish international said last week: “If I wanted to play there I would have stayed there.
“I was very happy when Arsenal showed interest in me and I decided to come here. I’m not looking back, I’m just looking to help Arsenal.
“It’s nice for a player to know that big teams want you but I’m very happy here.
“I’ve still got three years left on my contract so I’m just focused on playing every single week, improving and hopefully making things happen here at Arsenal.
“I’m happy. I’m comfortable. I want to be here a long time.”
Bellerin is thought to be getting a huge pay-rise on his current deal and expected to now be in-line with the other first-team squad.
Online Reporter