Arsenal: Huge Barcelona development moves Hector Bellerin closer to exit

Arsenal Interest in Barcelona defender Junior Firpo

A fine winter window passed by for Arsenal with next to no complaints on what they managed to achieve. The only blotch on a month that saw Mat Ryan and Martin Odegaard brought in on loan while numerous unwanted stars left was the lack of cover for Kieran Tierney.

Arsenal have been exposed in this position with the Scot being injured, and despite Cedric Soares filling in in his absence, the urgency for a recognised left-back remains in tact for the summer.

As per reports from RAC1 in Spain, Edu pushed through on deadline day to sign Barcelona’s Junior Firpo, who has fallen out of favour under Ronald Koeman this season.

Starting just two La Liga matches in 2020/21, the Spaniard is someone whose case Arsenal could return for in the summer. As such, Barcelona may seek to sweeten the outlay for Bellerin with his fellow countryman.

Which would be utterly foolish.

Arsenal need a left-back, yes, but they don’t need an out-of-favour one when their homegrown quota needs to be met. They also have Bellerin as one of precious few valuable members of their squad and with money tight need to squeeze every last penny they can out of whatever deal they make, whether that’s with Barça or not.

Firpo is on a long contract and cost £17m in 2019, and coupled with Koeman’s side’s desperation, could be used as a bargaining tool Arsenal don’t need. If said offer comes in, it’s a flat no.