Hector Bellerin and his agent have asked to leave the club amid interest from Paris Saint Germain, according to transfer guru Duncan Castles.
It is also being claimed that Mikel Arteta has asked technical director Edu Gaspar to explore the possibility to engage in a swap deal with the Parisians for Julian Draxler.
Castles is claiming that Tariq Lamptey is one of a few targets being discussed as a potential replacement for the Spaniard should he depart.
The departure of Bellerin is long overdue and as I wrote earlier in the week, is a move that needs to happen for both the player’s and club’s benefit. He’s stagnated over the last few years and his quality at both ends of the pitch has dwindled, especially this season.
A move for Draxler would be an interesting one from Arsenal’s point-of-view especially given how heavily linked the outfit have been with the German throughout his career. The Gunners are in need of some out-and-out width on the left side of attack with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having struggled this campaign.
He’s out of contract at the end of the current season and could be available on a free transfer. However, it is thought that the £18m-rated attacker could still sign a new deal to protect his value.
It would be quite sensational if Draxler could finally complete what seems to be a long-awaited move to N5. And if Arsenal can offer Bellerin as a makeweight and save money in the process, it would kill two birds with one stone.
