The Arsenal Times

Hector Bellerin has been linked with a possible move away from Arsenal to Serie A in Italy.

Bellerin’s agent Alberto Botines admitted the Spanish fullback “likes Italy” and that “there has been interest” from a club.

The 24-year-old has only recently returned to the side from a long injury setback after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the 2-0 win over Chelsea on January 19.

He missed the remainder of last season and made his return to action in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win against Nottingham Forest in late September.

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Arsenal’s vice-captain has been at the club since 2011 when he joined the youth setup from Barcelona as a 16-year-old and is both popular with fans and a key player for the Gunners.

‘He likes Italy – there’s already been interest from an Italian club’

But now his agent has fuelled talk of a potential exit from north London by telling Sky Sports in Italy: “At the moment, he’s focused on the team’s commitments.

“He comes from a bad injury and is returning to his usual level.

“He likes Italy, there’s already been interest from an Italian club but I can’t reveal it.

“He has a long contract and it won’t be easy to take him away from Arsenal, he’s their vice-captain.

“We’ll see how the season goes.”

Serie A giants Juventus and Napoli have both previously been linked with a move for Bellerin.

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