Get the day's biggest City stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Pep Guardiola has had Hector Bellerin monitored - but was forced to drop his interest after Arsenal made it clear there was no chance of the Spanish international being sold.

Guardiola is keen to address both full back areas, with Bacary Sagna,Pablo Zabaleta, Aleks Kolarov and Gael Clichy all in their 30s.

Zabaleta’s agent has held talks with Inter Milan - with the Argentine also linked with Roma.

Bellerin - a product of Barcelona’s academy - has impressed under Arsene Wenger and was one of the first names considered by Guardiola as he looks to reshape his Manchester City squad.

There are claims in Spain that the 21-year-old would be open to a move to Etihad, with Mundo Deportivo quoting a source as saying: “He is happy at Arsenal... but the option of City exists, it pleases him and what’s more, Pep is there.”

Even if Bellerin is interested in joining up with Guardiola, Arsenal’s refusal to even open negotiations is the main stumbling block.

Their firm stance on him prompted City to end their pursuit.

It will take a major about-turn from Arsenal to breathe life into a potential deal.

Guardiola’s summer business is well under way with Ilkay Gundogan and Nolito his two major signings so far, while he is trying seal deals for John Stones and Leroy Sane.