Barcelona are expected to appoint Ernesto Valverde as manager next week, and his first item on the agenda will be to place a bid for Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Valverde has announced he will step down as Athletic Bilbao boss while Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the club’s new manager will be confirmed on Monday with the former Espanyol coach heavy favourite to take over at the Camp Nou.
Bellerin’s future at the Emirates is a source of much speculation despite the Spaniard having only signed a new six and a half year contract back in November. Mundo Deportivo report that the 22 year old has told Barca that he will not accept a move to any other club after Manchester City also reportedly entered the race.
The Catalan club are however not 100% confident of landing the full back with Monaco’s Djibril Sidibe being lined up as a backup option if negotiations become protracted with the Gunners.
