PSG Prepare To Snatch Barcelona’s $49M Target Who Was Once Irreplaceable At Arsenal: Report

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are reportedly preparing to beat FC Barcelona in the race to sign Arsenal's defender Hector Bellerin.

Bellerin, who is one of Barcelona’s targets ahead of the 2021 summer transfer window, has decided to part ways with Arsenal, and PSG have revived their interest in the full-back, CBS Sports reported.

Once an irreplaceable member of the Arsenal squad, Bellerin had attracted several bids from top European clubs last summer window, including a bid of $35 million from PSG, who were managed by the current Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. However, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta had convinced the 25-year-old to stay at the Emirates for another season.

PSG, with a new boss in Mauricio Pochettino, are preparing yet another bid for Bellerin, but will have to battle against the player’s hometown club Barcelona. While PSG’s new bid is expected to be around $30 million, the CBS Sports report has stated Arsenal have labeled their talented defender at $49 million.

Two Serie A clubs are also interested in the signing of Bellerin, according to Teamtalk, but it did not name the clubs.

Bellerin kickstarted his soccer career at Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia before graduating from Arsenal’s academy in 2013. The same year, he made his first-team debut with the Gunners before being loaned off for two months at Watford. The Spaniard has been a regular member of Arsenal's squad since the 2014-15 season and over the years, he has experienced some of his best forms in North London. He has made over 200 competitive appearances for Arsenal and has helped his side win a total of six trophies in the process, including three FA Cup titles.

Bellerin’s recent dip in form has attracted major criticism from Arsenal’s fans, even though he has not been the worst of the lot on the field. The player’s association with Arsenal is tight, but it is believed that letting him go would do good to Bellerin and the club as it would get a significant amount of money that would help them at the 2021 summer market.