The latest reports from Spain are suggesting that Lionel Messi has demanded Barcelona’s decision makers bring Hector Bellerin to Camp Nou.

As it had gone quiet around another Barcelona youngster returning to his roots, Spanish outlet Don Balon have decided it’s once again time to throw Bellerin’s name into the gossip hat.

It is being claimed that the Catalans have sent their representatives to negotiate the deal, and want Bellerin sooner rather than later.

Arsenal signed the young Spaniard in 2011, and since Bellerin cemented his place in the first team, there probably hasn’t been one transfer window in which he hasn’t been linked with Barcelona again.

The 22-year-old signed new long-term contract with Arsenal just last November, that runs until 2023. Since then, he has changed his stance of ‘never returning’ to Barcelona, but still seems more than content to remain at Arsenal.

Even though this news sounds a bit rubbish, that Messi would demand they sign Bellerin, Barcelona could use a player of his qualities. Their first choice right-back, Aleix Vidal, has already missed 21 games this season through injury, and isn’t expected back any time soon.

Barcelona have been looking thin on the right flank ever since Dani Alves left on a free transfer, and their current option, Sergi Roberto, doesn’t naturally fit the position, being more of a defensive midfielder.

Nonetheless, Sergi Roberto has put in pretty decent performances and if statistics from Squawka can be trusted, he’s slightly outperformed Bellerin so far.

Roberto has won 42 tackles, that’s 25 more than Bellerin! He also made 44 interceptions, 10 more than Bellerin, and he’s made one block more.

These stats show Sergi Roberto is doing a decent job at Barcelona, but you can’t always trust statistics since we’re not talking about Football Manager.

Hector Bellerin would probably be the first choice right-back in this Barcelona side, but he’s just signed that new contract, he looks like he enjoys himself at the club, and Arsene Wenger surely wouldn’t let him go.

All that being said, expect Bellerin to be permanently linked with Barcelona until they eventually sign him and then stick him on the bench.