Arsenal: Ridiculous Hector Bellerin Rumours Simply Won’t Die

Hector Bellerin is again being linked with a move to Manchester City. The ridiculous transfer rumours of an Arsenal departure just won’t die.

Arsenal are a club that have, under the management of Arsene Wenger, often prioritised the acquisition and then the development of young players, favouring such an approach in assembling their squad over the way of the wallet that many of their domestic and European rivals undertake.

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It is an admirable tactic and one that many other organisations have tried to replicate, with most failing to do so. Wenger should be praised for his willingness to spurn the temptations of splurging money on  anything and everything that he could possibly buy and is respected for the approach.

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However, while the Gunners have enjoyed relative success as a result, it does bring its issues. The most notable is the difficulty of keeping pace the relentless improvements of Manchester City, Chelsea and many others. Another is the continual links of their players, players that were signed as youngsters and nurtured into established first team members, to potential departures, no matter how tenuous and ridiculous those links may be.

The latest name to be rumoured with a departure is full-back Hector Bellerin. There are many examples of the effects of Wenger’s tutoring in the current Arsenal squad. However, perhaps few are as emblematic of the youthful priority as Bellerin. Signed as a tender 16-year-old when a former youth graduate departed, Bellerin has blossomed into an energetic, enthusiastic and industrious right back.

Throughout the year, there have been reports suggesting that both Barcelona and Manchester City are interested in acquiring the services of the pacy full-back, with both sides suffering from a glaring absence at the position. Even after Bellerin signed a new long-term deal to keep him at the Emirates for the foreseeable future, though, these reports continue to surface.

The latest suggests that Barcelona are once again pushing hard to sign their former youngster. While it makes total sense for the Spanish giants to be interested in signing Bellerin, given their own personnel issues after the departure of Dani Alves, the style of play that Bellerin boasts and the affiliation he has with the club, Bellerin has publicly declared his intention to stay and Arsenal are wholly unwilling to sell.

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So why, then, do these ridiculous rumours continue to persist? Bellerin will not leave North London in the summer, no matter how many reports may ‘suggest’ otherwise. It’s just the nature of the crazy transfer rumour mill.