Arsenal selling Bellerin to Barcelona would be ‘good business’, says Campbell

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes the club selling Hector Bellerin to Barcelona could prove to be a good piece of business.

Bellerin started his career with Barcelona at youth level before making the move to London in 2013, with him eventually becoming one of Arsenal’s most senior players as of 2020.

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Rumours of a return to the Camp Nou haven’t really gone away, though, and have recently emerged again due to Bellerin’s poor form for the Gunners over the last few season, particularly in 2020/21.

Campbell, who played for Arsenal between 1988 and 1995, reckons it would benefit the club to sell the Spaniard.

“Bellerin, by his own admission, has not been ripping trees up. He was getting exposed at times,” he told Football Insider.

“Maitland-Niles really sured up the right-hand side when he came in earlier this month. The performances were a lot more solid, especially on that right-hand side.

“There is a question to be asked of Bellerin and a lot of fans are asking it. Will the club sell him?

“There is rumours of Barcelona’s interest. It is his boyhood club, the club he loves and maybe that would be a good bit of business.”

The former Gunners striker has also questioned the acquisition of Cedric Soares on a free transfer from Southampton as he doesn’t believe the Portugal international is better than what Arsenal already have in the squad.

“You’ve got Cedric in from Southampton, what’s that recruitment going on? You need someone who is better than Hector,” Campbell added.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has found himself under huge pressure due to the club’s underperformance this season, but Bellerin recently defended his boss, saying the blame should lay with the players.

The 25-year-old has made 13 starts in the premier League this season for Arsenal, who are currently 15th in the table following their home victory against Chelsea on Boxing Day.