Barcelona 'looking to re-sign Hector Bellerin before transfer deadline'

The 27-year-old is back at Arsenal following a productive loan spell at Real Betis, but he is not in the plans of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta for the 2022-23 campaign.

Bellerin has another year left to run on his contract with the North London outfit, and a recent report claimed that the Spaniard had asked Arsenal to terminate his contract in order to join Real Betis on a permanent deal.

However, according to Sport, there is also interest from Barcelona, with the Catalan giants bidding to sign a new right-back before the transfer deadline.

The report claims that Xavi's side have asked Bellerin to wait until late in the window, as they are currently working to offload Sergino Dest, who is surplus to requirements at the club.

The report claims that Xavi 'does not have confidence' in Dest, who has not been involved for the club in the early stages of the La Liga season.

Villarreal's Juan Foyth and Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier have also been mentioned as right-back targets for Barcelona, but Bellerin's potential availability on a free transfer makes him an attractive proposition.

Bellerin came through the youth system at Barcelona, representing the club between 2003 and 2011 before making the move to Arsenal, where he has made 239 appearances in all competitions.

The right-back has not played for the Gunners since the 2020-21 season, though, having been allowed to spend last term on loan at Real Betis in La Liga.

Bellerin impressed for Manuel Pellegrini's side in 2021-22, featuring on 32 occasions in all competitions, contributing five assists in the process.

Xavi recently revealed that Barcelona wanted to sign Cesar Azpilicueta this summer to boost their right-back options, but the defender ultimately signed a new deal at Chelsea.

"Being honest, we wanted to sign Cesar Azpilicueta [from Chelsea] and we couldn't, so that's the situation," Xavi told reporters ahead of the clash with Real Sociedad last weekend.

"But we do have players to provide cover there. Ronald [Araujo] did well there last weekend, Sergi Roberto can play there and [Jules Kounde] can as well in case of an emergency."

Barcelona have already brought Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde to Camp Nou this summer, but the club have still not been able to register the latter with La Liga.

The Catalan outfit, who are back in league action against Real Valladolid on August 28, are also said to be in discussions with Celta Vigo over Javi Galan, with a deal for Chelsea's Marcos Alonso thought to be stalling.