Arsenal and Spain defender Hector Bellerin wanted to leave the club in the summer after Barcelona enquired about his services, according to latest reports.

According to David Ornstein, Hector Bellerin wanted to leave this summer amid interest from Barcelona. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given the Catalan club’s very public pursuit of the full-back earlier in the summer.

Arsenal had a chaotic summer in which it appeared that nobody quite knew what they were doing. There were high-profile sagas about the futures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez, but they weren’t the only players who wanted to leave.

Spanish reports at the time were absolutely convinced Bellerin wanted to join Barcelona, and it seems they were right. It wasn’t until after the U21 European Championships – where Spain finished as runners-up – that the 22-year-old informed Arsene Wenger that he wanted to leave.

Fortunately, Arsenal’s position was much stronger than it was with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis. Bellerin has a long-term contract with the club and was told he wouldn’t be sold. Rather than speak out and try to force a move, the Spaniard accepted the club’s position.

In the meantime, Barcelona went and signed another right-back, which could mean they won’t be returning for Bellerin anytime soon.