Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke dashes Hector Bellerin’s hopes of dream Barcelona move with phone call
US shareholder reportedly nipped any thoughts right-back had of moving back to boyhood club this summer firmly in the bud
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ARSENAL owner Stan Kroenke has dashed Hector Bellerin's hopes of dream Barcelona move with a simple phone call, according to reports.
The Catalan giants have been pushing as a priority for 22-year-old Bellerin to return to the Nou Camp after leaving for the Gunners in 2011.
But they have found negotiations with stubborn Arsenal difficult - and are unwilling to shell out more than £45million for the Spanish Under-21 defender, who is keen on a return to Spain.
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He signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates last season, but fuelled speculation he could be heading back to Spain after reportedly buying a house in Barcelona.
His parents, who moved with him to London were also reportedly set to move in as new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde aimed to to add another full-back to his ranks.
But according to reports in Spain, the Gunners' American majority shareholder has reportedly nipped any thoughts right-back had of moving back to boyhood club this summer firmly in the bud.
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Cadena SER claim unpopular Kroenke personally spoke to Bellerin to tell him he will not be allowed to leave the club this summer, as the build for a better campaign than last.
Arsene Wenger holds all the cards in Barca negotiations as Bellerin's deal sees him tied to north London until 2023.
And Barca have even begun to plan for life without Bellerin, with talks underway with Portuguese champions Benfica this week over a move for Nelson Semedo.