The next Fabregas? Arrogant Barcelona repeat transfer tactics with Bellerin

goal.com

Cesc pushed for a move away from Arsenal but this time it could be different with Bellerin - a player whose ties to Barca aren't as strong.

It was inevitable that the rumours would eventually come up. You could be forgiven for thinking that we were in 2011 again after comments from Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre this week. The Blaugrauna chief described Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin as a ‘great player’ claiming he has ‘Barca DNA’ and he hopes the Spaniard will eventually return to the La Liga giants. 

Cast your mind back to autumn 2009 when Barcelona midfielder Xavi expressed his ambition to play with then-Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas and added fuel to the fire by also claiming his compatriot has 'Barca DNA’. The tapping-up was explicit and in Arsenal’s faces - but they couldn’t do a thing about it as Fabregas eventually landed his ‘dream’ return back to where it all began.

This time round it’s different. Hector Bellerin is much younger than Fabregas was before the links with Barcelona began. At 21-years-old the Spain international has the world at his feet, is one of the first names on the Arsenal team-sheet and regarded by many as Europe’s most exciting right-back. But that’s where the similarities between Fabregas and Bellerin end.

“I was about to sign an agreement [with Barcelona] and we were in talks when Arsenal told me they were interested in me”, said Bellerin last season. “We spoke about everything and I told the people at Barcelona I didn’t want to sign a contract and I wanted to come over here.

“I’m the kind of person who likes new challenges and for me it was a new challenge. The success of Fabregas as well, that he grew up here more than in Barcelona, was something that attracted me a lot as well. There were so many factors.”

Indeed, Bellerin rejected a contract offer from Barcelona to make his move to unfamiliar surroundings in London. It was a huge decision for such a young man which has since paid off. Revealing he ‘likes new challenges’ may be the kind of comment to ignite further rumours over the coming seasons, but Bellerin’s consistent motivation and hunger to be the best has helped him become one of the best full-backs in Europe.

Barcelona will undoubtedly make a move for Bellerin next summer with Aleix Vidal not first choice and Sergi Roberto not a natural right-back. The club’s confidence, bordering on arrogance, of signing him looks likely to ruffle feathers in north London. The player himself is exceedingly happy with London life and has 'no personal interest' in playing for Barca in the same way that Fabregas described it as his boyhood dream to return.

Luis Enrique’s side believe they can convince him to sign by guaranteeing him a starting spot and offering an even bigger salary than he is currently on now, but it is unlikely to make a difference at this point in time. Bellerin is not Fabregas and has objectives of winning a major trophy for Arsenal, already having two FA Cups under his belt and confident of challenging for further silverware in the coming seasons.

Mestre’s comment that it is ‘useful’ for ex-Barcelona youth players to gain experience abroad before coming back is ungraceful and arrogant. Bellerin has made his career at Arsenal, developed under Arsene Wenger and plied his trade in English football. Furthermore, it was assistant manager who Steve Bould helped mould him from a right winger to the exciting right-back he has become today.

"I learnt a lot from Steve Bould about how to defend and every day I feel more and more comfortable as a right back. “It gives me a chance to go forward, and I am learning every day about the defensive side - I really enjoy it." The decision to move abroad, learn a new language and immerse himself in completely different surroundings is the reason why Bellerin has such a strong tie to London right now.

Indeed, if Arsenal want to keep a hold of their best players then they do need to challenge and win a major trophy within the next few seasons, while Wenger's possible departure when his contract expires next summer is another aspect which could affect the future of the club's best players. For now though, Bellerin is happy at Arsenal and looks set to stay in north London for the long-term - even if those who are trying to unsettle him persist in trying to coax the starlet away.