OMNISPORT

Arsene Wenger has confirmed plans are afoot to extend Hector Bellerin's contract, as Barcelona eye the Spain defender.

Bellerin joined Arsenal's academy as a teenager from Barca's La Masia in 2011, bursting onto the first-team scene at the Emirates Stadium in 2014.

He appeared in all but two of their Premier League games last season and has been an ever-present this term, as well as making his senior international debut in the run-up to Euro 2016.

Barca previously brought Cesc Fabregas back to Camp Nou after he trod the path followed by Bellerin to London, and have been heavily linked with the 21-year-old right-back as they seek a replacement for Dani Alves.

"I'm surprised by the speculations - he has nearly three years to go," Wenger said of Bellerin.

"We always try to get the players to a level where they deserve to be, so we'll try to extend his contract.

"But for me his long-term future is here.

"He has been fantastic, let's not forget that his first game he had a nightmare when I played him and the year before [on loan] at Watford he didn't play, his progress has been absolutely spectacular.

"He has top mental strength. He loves to be here and has responsibilities in the dressing room. For a young age, it's remarkable."

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