Juventus are in ‘very advanced conversations’ with Arsenal over the €50m transfer of Hector Bellerin, according to reports in the player’s home country.

Cadena SER reporter Bruno Alemany told radio station El Larguero that negotiations are progressing over a move this summer. It’s certainly not the first time the media have drawn a link between the two. There were plenty of reports in January that the Italian champions were following the defender.

https://twitter.com/ellarguero/status/991087503905083393

Juventus need a right-back pretty badly at the moment. They’re so short on options that in their last game against Inter Milan, Juan Cuadrado played the position. That’s right, the former Chelsea right-winger.

Arsenal definitely shouldn’t make things easy for Juventus though. For a start, the fact that the Italians are so clearly desperate should allow the Gunners to jack up the price. Add to that the fact that Bellerin’s contract doesn’t expire until 2023.

Plus, I’m very doubtful the defender even wants to leave in the first place. The Spaniard said in a recent YouTube video that his heart is set on Arsenal’s number 2 shirt this summer. He said he’d already spoken to Vic Akers (the kit man) about securing it. That’s unlikely to be something you worry about if you know you’re leaving.

Hopefully this is all just paper talk.