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Barcelona have all but confirmed they will attempt to sign Arsenal 's Hector Bellerin in January.

While enquiries for Bellerín in the summer were roundly rebuffed by Arsenal, reports on Monday morning suggested that the Nou Camp outfit are getting involved now in a bid to prevent Bellerín renewing his Gunners deal.

And speaking to SPORT the club’s vice president Jordi Mestre could scarcely have been more effusive in his praise for the Spanish international right-back insinuating he'd like to bring him back to the club he left at 16

“We’ve already seen him as a Cule! He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

(Image: Getty Images)

(Image: REUTERS)

“Wenger convinced him to move [in 2011] 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.”

It wouldn't be the first time a player returned to Barcelona after being sold on previously and Mestre is a big believer in the practice.

“In many cases it’s good that they leave to develop as players and then return [with that experience],” he added.

(Image: Mike Hewitt) (Image: FIFA via Getty)

“Look at the cases of Cesc [Fabregas], [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 dynamic which has always provided good results for players that carry the Barca DNA in their blood.”

Hector Bellerín's current deal expires in 2019, but the club are hoping to extend it until 2021.

The right-back is currently valued north of £40million by Arsenal, a fee which would make him the most expensive full-back in history, and should he extend his contract by two years then that asking price would only go up.

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Robert Fernandez, Barca's sporting director, has been in contact with the 21-year-old defender, according to SPORT, but there are other options being considered by the club.

Veteran Dario Srna of Shakhtar Donetsk is looking to leave the Ukrainian giants and may provide a stop-gap option at a low fee.

Valencia's promising Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo is another target for Barca and, coincidentally, is also being watched by the Gunners.