BELL TOLLS NO LONGER FOR BARCA
THE ORIGINAL GOSSIP COLUMN
BARCELONA have dropped their interest in Hector Bellerin after an official protest from Arsenal. The Gunners, who had warned Bellerin he had to stay, wrote to Barcelona to tell them to stop trying to unsettle the Spanish right-back (left). Barca – willing to pay £30million for Bellerin, who was at the Nou Camp as a kid – may now move for Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta. Barcelona legend Xavi said the La Liga giants are right not to pursue Bellerin. “It’s difficult for me to accept signing a player we already had,” he said. “I would not sign players who leave. Why are they leaving at 16 or 17?”
EVERTON are moving in on Gylfi Sigurdsson – despite Swansea trying to create a bidding war.
The Swans have rejected Everton’s record £40million offer, which matches Leicester’s failed bid for Sigurdsson (right).
The Iceland star’s old club Tottenham are also monitoring developments and Swansea hope that rival interest will drive up the deal to their £50m asking price.
Everton feel they may only have to go as high as £42m and it is understood the midfielder, who pulled out of the club’s US tour at the last minute on