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Arsenal reluctantly ready to sell Hector Bellerin to PSG to fund move for new midfielder as talks progress

Spain defender has been contacted by the French champions and will be made available for around £35m that could go towards Mikel Arteta’s pursuit for midfield reinforcements

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Wednesday 09 September 2020 12:58 BST
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Hector Bellerin has been contacted by PSG over a move away from Arsenal
Hector Bellerin has been contacted by PSG over a move away from Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain are leading the race to sign Arsenal's Hector Bellerin, having already made contact with his representatives.

The French champions currently interest the right-back more than any other potential options, and have so far made the strongest overtures to sign him.

Bellerin is at a stage in his career where he wants a different experience, and Arsenal would be reluctantly ready to sell, for a fee of around £35m. The club want to raise £40 to £50m this summer in total, both to balance the books and buy another midfielder. Mikel Arteta is insistent on the latter, as it is where he feels the squad is short.

Talks between the player's camp and PSG are ongoing, but there is confidence a deal can be done. Sevilla are one of a number of other clubs who have been looking at the 25-year-old.

There is meanwhile a growing possibility that Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi could be re-integrated into the Arsenal squad.

Ozil's camp have told the club he is not leaving without an acceptable offer. The German playmaker is on a huge contract, and Arteta runs the risk of leaving such an expensive player out of the team, at a time when finances are stretched. The Spaniard is said to be reconsidering that, and considering where he can be used in the upcoming season.

Arsenal meanwhile haven't yet found a suitable buyer for Guendouzi, who wants to prove his worth after falling out of favour with Arteta following his on-pitch meltdown against Brighton last season.

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