Arsenal braced for Hector Bellerin raid as Atletico Madrid eye ambitious swap deal including Vitolo
ATLETICO MADRID want to sign Hector Bellerin – and will throw Vitolo into an ambitious swap deal. Diego Simeone is desperate to bolster his defence this summer and has identified the Arsenal right-back as a suitable signing. Bellerin, 24, is currently recovering from a knee injury but Atletico still may make a move. He had […]
ATLETICO MADRID want to sign Hector Bellerin – and will throw Vitolo into an ambitious swap deal.
Diego Simeone is desperate to bolster his defence this summer and has identified the Arsenal right-back as a suitable signing.
Bellerin, 24, is currently recovering from a knee injury but Atletico still may make a move.
He had surgery in January after damaging the anterior cruciate ligaments against Chelsea.
Bellerin is expected to miss the start of the new season as he continues his rehabilitation from the operation at the beginning of the year – in the meantime, he has been “living his best life” at Paris Fashion Week.
But despite his continued absence, the Spanish side remain interested.
HEC OF A FEE
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are likely to demand £50million for the Spaniard, the quoted price that put Juventus off last summer.
Bellerin came through the ranks at Barcelona before signing for Arsenal aged 16, racking up 181 first-team appearances.
He still has four years left on his current contract at the Emirates, so Arsenal are in no need to cash in.
Atleti’s regular right-backs last season were Juanfran – who turned 34 in January – and Santiago Arias but Simeone may now be looking for a fresh face in his back line.
They have also been linked with Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj.
The Albanian international, 25, is a reported target for Manchester United but it is thought Atleti are also keeping tabs on the defender.
Atletico could offer Arsenal Vitolo as part of an exchange with Bellerin.
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The versatile forward, who can play through the middle or on the wing, has managed just one La Liga goal in two seasons at the Wanda Metropolitano.
But it was at Sevilla – and under now-Arsenal boss Unai Emery – that Vitolo made his name in the top flight in Spain, scoring 27 goals for the club.
And a reunion with his compatriot could help the attacker return to his best form and the Gunners return to the Champions League.
