Report: Julian Lopetegui wants to sign Arsenal defender

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The Daily Express have claimed that Julian Lopetegui’s Sevilla are interested in raiding Arsenal for Gunners defender Hector Bellerin this summer, joining Juventus and Inter Milan in the race to land the Spaniard.

Bellerin, 25, has started five of Arsenal’s last six Premier League games and remains a crucial part of the side – and certainly one of the leaders of the Gunners squad. He has now clocked up a whopping 201 appearances in all competitions.

However, Bellerin finally has competition on the right side of the defence in the form of Cedric Soares – after the Gunners confirmed a permanent deal for the Euro 2016 winner. The report claims Cedric could play a part in Bellerin’s exit.

Sevilla and Lopetegui are interested in signing Bellerin – as are Inter and Juventus. Bellerin has three years remaining on his contract at Arsenal, which Spotrac claims is worth £110,000 a week.

TBR’s view – Bellerin would be huge loss for Arsenal

Yes, Cedric has put pressure on Bellerin’s place in the starting line-up. But getting rid of Bellerin because Cedric has arrived would be a mistake. Not only is Bellerin a top right-back, he is Arsenal through and through.

At his best, Bellerin is one of the best right-backs in European football. It would cost Arsenal a fortune to replace Bellerin, so keeping the Spain international is crucial to the Gunners looking to reach the top four next season.