It was inevitable. Even though it’s just days after an interview in which he declared himself happy in England, El Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Hector Bellerin is the number one choice to replace Dani Alves at Barcelona.

The Brazilian international is set to leave Barça this summer, heading to Serie A for a lucrative final deal at Juventus, and that leaves the La Liga champions looking for a replacement.

And, as sure as night follows day, the Catalan press have put on their science caps and started talking about DNA.

They say: “The first on the list is Hector Bellerin, 21 years of age, now at Arsenal but who has Barça DNA from when he was little.

“One month ago, Roberto Fernandez [technical secretary at Barcelona], called the defender. Sources close to the player say that he asked Francisco Javier García Pimienta, the last coach who had Bellerín at the club, to initiate contact.”

It’s typically bombastic stuff from El Mundo, we’ve been here before, and they do mention other players of interest including Valencia’s Joao Cancelo, Sevilla’s Brazilian full back Mariano, and even Juan Cuadrado – not known for his defensive nous, it has to be said.

However, just last week Bellerin played down any chances of a move back ‘home’, saying, “I say it every day, for me my home is in England.

“I’ve been there many years now, my family is there, I’m living with my girlfriend. I’m very happy there, and I just don’t see myself anywhere else but Arsenal.”

So, to conclude, Barcelona can stick it up their bum. And this is getting a poo rating of 10. There’s just no chance Arsenal will let him go.