Lionel Messi Forcing Barcelona To Sign $55M-Worth Premier League Defender: Report

FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi reportedly has asked the club to sign Premier League defender Hector Bellerin from Arsenal at the summer transfer window.

While the likes of Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto have been the team’s regular right backs, they have not performed up to their potential this season. While Semedo has been forced to play out of his position, Roberto has suddenly suffered a major dip in form and that has cost Barcelona a lot this season. Even though they were on the top of the La Liga points table before COVID-19 halted the season, the team has had a roller-coaster season and there is no guarantee they will end the 2019-20 campaign on a high.

Ahead of the upcoming transfer window, one of the major priorities of the Nou Camp side is to sign a talented right-back, who would fit in well in the long-term. The likes of Joshua Kimmich, Ricardo Pereira, Joao Cancelo and Hector Bellerin have been linked with a move to Barcelona. It is understood that the Arsenal full-back has an upper hand, who also is keen on leaving the Emirates side.

According to a report in Don Balon, Messi has advocated the signing of Bellerin, who reportedly also has other clubs chasing him like Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Considering Arsenal are undergoing a transition and is not believed to win any major trophy any time soon, it would be best for the 25-year-old to leave the North London club, who have labeled Bellerin with a transfer fee of $55 million.

Meanwhile, Barcelona could be a great choice for Bellerin, who is also the former La Masia graduate, the famous youth academy of the Catalans. Since he has played for Barcelona’s youth teams, he is certainly aware of the club’s demands and style of play. His speed, talent along with his past experience in Barcelona could turn out to be a plus point for the La Liga champions.