Vice-president of Barcelona, Jordi Mestre, has admitted his admiration for Arsenal right-back, Hector Bellerin.
The Catalan club, have been linked with a move for the player, who is a product of their youth system. Bellerin left at 16 to work with Arsene Wenger.
He has now become the Gunners’ first-choice in the position and has repeatedly said he is happy with life in London.
But Mestre says Bellerin could follow in the foot steps of Cesc Fabregas, who left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011.
“We’ve already seen him as a Cule [Barcelona follower],” Mestre said in an interview to Sport. “He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that.
“Wenger convinced him to move and promised him something which we couldn’t.
“We could not promise him that within two years he would be playing in Dani Alves’ place.”
Alves signed for Juventus this summer, with Sergi Roberto taking his place as first-choics right-back.
Mestre added that it was to their advantage, when youngsters leave Barcelona to develop elsewhere.
“In many cases it’s good that they leave to develop as players and then return [with that experience],” he added.
“Look at the cases of Cesc, [Gerard] Pique, [Jordi] Alba and Denis Suarez… I hope the same thing will happen with [Sergi] Samper too.
“It’s positive that [these players] get minutes at other clubs. It is a dynamic which has always provided good results for players that carry the Barca DNA in their blood.”
Bellerin’s contract at Arsenal expires in 2019.
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