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Bellerin keeping his options open, says agent

Agent speaks about Hector Bellerin’s future.

Bellerin keeping his options open, says agent

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin will consider offers from other clubs despite having signed a new contract with Arsenal earlier in the season, his agent Albert Botines has revealed.

The long-term Barcelona target currently has an offer on the table but not from the Catalan club in the youth academy of which he spent eight years before he moved to the Gunners.

Bellerin has been on the receiving end of fan frustration following difficult January and February for the Gunners, which saw them getting stripped of a chance to challenge for the title and getting spectacularly knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

With Arsene Wenger’s future still in doubt, Bellerin’s agent refuses to rule out a possible move away from the Emirates if the right offer comes in.

“Before he signed his renewal, there were six or seven clubs interested in him, and that made him understand he was doing the right things.” Botines told Goal.com. “After he signed the renewal, there were only two or three clubs who kept up their interest in Bellerin, and I have to say I only received one offer for him but it is not from Barcelona.”

“I have read a lot of things about this supposed interest from Barcelona but it has been long time since the club last called me.”

Wenger’s contract runs out at the end of his season and with Arsenal’s chances for a top four spot diminished and the fans’ protests, the French manager seems to be in a tough spot. Should Wenger decide to call it a day, it is likely Arsenal will undergo an exodus of players.

Botines continued:  “You never know what is going to happen in the future in the football world and of course he signed a renewal with a view to stay at Arsenal for a long time.

“But you never know, maybe there’s a club who likes him and things change. I can’t guarantee anything about the future but the natural thing would be for him to stay because he has signed a renewal.”

The 22-year-old signed a new deal worth 100k a week in November, but has failed to replicate the form that earned him this contract. Botines claims the dip in form is due to an ankle injury.

“This season was hard after the Champions League elimination; he started well and was able to sign a long contract on very favourable terms with the intention of staying long-term.

“This season was hard after the Champions League elimination, it is true there’s a cup final to play and that will make this disappointment easier to accept.

“The injury to his ankle didn’t allow him to show his best form like in the previous season, and In addition, he felt an injury relapse after receiving a hit during a game with Spain Under-21s.

“It is true he is playing less than last season but there’s nothing strange about that because it is part of a footballer’s life and he knows that.

“Of course he wants to play more often, but he understands that he suffered some difficulties during this season and will work hard to become an important player for the team again.”

Arsenal still hold a mathematical chance of getting to top four as they sit sixth and six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand, but ultimately they would have to rely on the their rivals, among which Liverpool and Manchester United, to drop points along the way.

The battle for Champions League football next season continues tonight as the Gunners travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to face Southampton. 

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