Manchester City cannot afford to buy Hector Bellerin and could lose out to Barcelona this summer, claim the Catalan press.

• Sport say Arsenal want £44m for Bellerin
• Man City “not in position” to pay that
• Bellerin is wanted by Barcelona

Spanish newspaper Sport say that Arsenal would require a £44m fee to sell defender Hector Bellerin this summer which could price out Manchester City, reports Sport Witness. Manchester City have been linked with right-back for some time, but Arsenal’s “astronomical” asking price would reportedly be too much for them.

The claim is unusual given the funds available to City manager Pep Guardiola to spend on players this summer. Nearly £80m has already been spent on Bernardo Silva and goalkeeper Ederson, and if reports are to be believed they’ll keep going until they hit the £250m mark. If City want to spend big on Bellerin, they’re surely well capable of doing so.

The “Bellerin to Barcelona” campaign has already begun in the Spanish press, while English media has incessantly linked him with a move to Manchester City. This transfer rumour will likely continue all summer, ignoring how the Spaniard committed his future to Arsenal with a six-year deal.