Arsenal: The one Hector Bellerin determining factor

There are conflicting suggestions over whether Hector Bellerin could leave Arsenal this summer. There should only be one determining factor motivating a sale: Price.

It looks as though Arsenal will have to sell this summer if they want to raise significant funds for potential recruits. There is a reported budget of £50 million pre-sales, which in today’s explosively inflated market, is not nearly enough to rival the likes of the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, and potentially even Spurs.

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So if the Sven Mislintat-led brain trust wants to invest substantially in certain areas of the team, then they will need to raise funds through player sales. And one name that has surfaced as a potential departee in this upcoming window is right-back Hector Bellerin.

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The Spaniard has been linked with an exit in previous windows, with Barcelona the most prevalently named potential destination. However, according to Guillem Balague, who is very much in-tune with the goings-on at the Catalan club, there are not the available funds to afford the defender:

"“Bellerin is too expensive. As I said they want a left-back and also a right-back but the Arsenal star is too expensive.”"

But Barcelona is not the only potential club that the Gunners could look to shift Bellerin to, if they are so moved in trying to fund other ventures. Juventus have been named as a potential suitor and there are domestic clubs who are in need of a right-back, though selling within the Premier League would obviously be far from ideal.

Balague’s revelation, though, does bring up an interesting nuance regarding the decision-making of Bellerin’s future. Two or three years ago, losing Bellerin would have been a travesty. One of the brightest young defenders in world football, it was hoped that he would become a linchpin of this Arsenal team for years to come.

But he has not pressed on as was initially hoped. In fact, it could be argued that Bellerin has actually regressed, though injuries have played a part in that. No longer is he a must-keep member of the squad. He is expendable. I would go as far to say that there is only one factor that should determine whether Bellerin remains at the Emirates, and it has nothing to do with what he can control. It is the price that is on offer.

If Arsenal receive an offer that they believe is sufficient for them to sign a replacement and invest at other, more needy positions, then it would be sensible to pull the trigger on such a sale. Bellerin’s performances have not been of the level that demands his staying.

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Does that mean that I would try and sell the now 23-year-old? No. I would not be trying. But if the opportunity for the right price arises, then I would absolutely take it. What that price is, is another question. Perhaps north of £30 million. But Bellerin is no longer the be all and end all of the right-back position. He is expendable.