Bellerin sale to fund spree

ARSENAL are ready to sacrifice Hector Bellerin to help fund their squad rebuilding plans.

But the Gunners will place a £50million price tag on the right back as they prepare to listen to offers for the Spaniard this summer. Bellerin is viewed as one of the brightest prospects in Europe and was a target for Manchester City last summer.

At the time, Arsenal refused to sell the defender but the club are coming round to the notion of doing so in a bid to boost their transfer coffers. Juventus are interested in the 22-year-old and are understood to be preparing a summer swoop.

Barcelona, the full back’s boyhood club, have also shown interest in the past. Bellerin, it is understood, would consider a move should the right opportunity present itself.

Arsenal know selling Bellerin would significantly boost the money available to spend on players ahead of next season.

Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is keen on making at least three new signings this summer — a goalkeeper, holding central midfielder and centre back. The club are also keen on finding a long-term replacement for left back Nacho Monreal.

Meanwhile, club record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed the reason he signed for Arsenal was to work with manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gabon striker said: ‘I think we take the manager for granted, I am really happy because I am here because of him.’