Barcelona are preparing a £44m bid to sign Hector Bellerin.

• New manager Ernesto Valverde has backed the signing
• Barcelona want Bellerin to tell Wenger he wants to leave
• The Catalan club have a long-standing interest in the right back

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has given the go-ahead to sign Hector Bellerin this summer.

Barcelona’s technical director, Robert Fernandez, is a big fan of Bellerin but wanted Valverde’s blessing before starting negotiations with Arsenal. Due to Arsenal’s high asking-price, Barcelona will encourage Bellerin to tell Arsene Wenger that he wants to leave.

However, Bellerin signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal recently and has said he wants to stay at Arsenal. Telling Wenger he wants to leave like Barcelona want would represent a significant u-turn. Arsenal, of course, will have no intention of selling the player this summer.

Barcelona have been long-time admirers of the right back and believe he’d be a perfect fit for their team. Bellerin is a nice blend of explosive pace and good technique and would do well at Barcelona. That he is also a product of their famed academy is a bonus.

The Catalan club have a list of back-up targets to pursuit should they fail to land Bellerin. Chances are, we’ll see a lot more stories about Barcelona’s love of Bellerin.