It’s only been 11 days since Arsenal’s final game of the season finished with a big German holding a small pot, but that’s been more than enough time for the relentless and merciless machine that is the transfer rumour mill to take over our lives and our social media feeds.
Usually when this happens, it’s because of one of four reasons;
- Arsenal are trying to buy a big name
- Arsenal are trying to buy a youngster who nobody’s heard of but are basing their opinion on him on one YouTube clip anyway
- Arsenal are desperately trying to keep their best player from leaving
- Arsenal are desperately trying to flog off their unwanted players to the first possible bidder.
This time is different though, because even though the season has just finished, Arsenal find themselves dealing with all four of these problems simultaneously.
3. The Wantaway Star
No, this isn’t about Özil or Alexis, because clearly nobody has a clue as to what either of them are thinking right now.
But it’s hard to look at Hector Bellerin’s comments over the last few days and not come to the conclusion that we’re going to have another ‘Fabregas’ situation coming soon.
Just like with Cesc, there’s not going to be a lot Arsenal can do about it once they lose their leverage in any negotiation with Barcelona.
But just like with Fabregas, it’s going to be a while before Arsenal lose that leverage.
Bellerin has five years left on his contract.
He may have legitimate reasons for wanting to move back home, and the word ‘home’ is key here, just like it was for Fabregas. As much as we want him to be ‘one of our own’, after being the club to give him a chance to develop in the first place, he’ll always be a Barcelona lad.
That’ll never change.
What expedites matters a bit is that Barcelona are a bit miffed at seeing Real Madrid romp to the double this season, and need to make a statement of intent.
Yes, it wouldn’t be as flashy as a striker or creative midfielder, but they need to have eight home grown players for their European squad just like everyone else and Bellerin fits the bill quite nicely.
Plus they have nobody good at right back anyway. It’s almost a no–brainer.
So, if they offer silly money for him, let him go.
Kyle Walker is about to go to Manchester City for £40 million, so if Arsenal should expect at least that.
Replace him with Nelson Semedo from Benfica or Ricardo Pereira from Nice.
Fabregas, as captain and Arsenal’s best player at the time, was irreplaceable.
Bellerin, even as the best young right back in the world, is more than replaceable.