Arsenal: Hector Bellerin prefers joining Manchester City over new deal

Hector Bellerin has been the subject of transfer rumors in recent times and the latest news is concerning for Gunners fans.

Hector Bellerin being linked with a move away from Arsenal could force the club to swiftly offer the right back a new deal to secure his future at the Emirates. However, the Spaniard would actually prefer to join Manchester City than sign any new Arsenal deal, according to the Times, via the Mirror.

The Gunners are willing to double Bellerin’s current pay to secure his future. But the Spaniard would rather move to the north of England and link up with Pep Guardiola. Recently, Bellerin has been linked with moves to City and also Barcelona.

Barcelona was Bellerin’s birthplace and was thought of as the most likely potential destination were Bellerin to exit North London. But now it seems City might have caught the defender’s eye. Though, if true, it’s not a huge surprise really.

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Firstly, whenever any player departs any club, it should never, ever be a surprise anymore. That’s just life in 2016 and beyond. Nobody is safe anywhere any more. And City do have the lure of Guardiola.

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What player doesn’t want to play for the current City boss? It’s one of the biggest attractions any club could offer a player today. You add in a bigger opportunity to win major trophies – not just the EFL Cup or FA Cup.

And also Mikel Arteta, who Bellerin reportedly has an extremely close relationship with. Plus, let’s be honest, the wages on offer are probably higher also. All of that combined, it’s easy to see why Bellerin might possibly fancy a move to the Etihad Stadium.

This not an ‘oh my god’ moment. It’s more of a ‘what, again?’ moment. A number of players have jumped ship from Arsenal to Manchester City in the past seven or eight years. Hector Bellerin would just be another name on the list. Or would he?

Despite it being a road well traveled, Bellerin would be the first young, homegrown Arsenal star to make the dash for the Etihad. Samir Nasri was probably the best player, who was closest to his prime, that Arsenal lost to City.

But Bellerin is more of a fan favorite than Nasri was. The exit of the right back to a title rival would sting more than any other past Arsenal player to leave for City. Who knows, though, maybe the Spaniard stays put.

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These reports could all be put out there by Bellerin’s people to scare Arsenal in to hurrying with a new contract and improved terms. It wouldn’t be the first time or the last that has happened. But only time will tell.

Whatever happens, nothing should surprise anybody. And certainly not an Arsenal player leaving for Manchester City. Everybody’s read this script before. We’ve just got to wait for this particular ending.

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