The Gunners right back has been linked with a return to his former club for much of the summer and Mundo Deportivo claim the next week and a half will be definitive in whether or not the deal goes through.

Bellerin is said to be desperate to seal a return to the Nou Camp, where he originally came to Arsenal’s attention at the La Masia academy. Equally, Barcelona believe he would be the perfect long-term replacement for Dani Alves, who left last summer.l

There are, however, significant obstacles to the deal, not least the fact that the Spanish defender is concentrating on the European Under 21 Championship in Poland.

Arsenal would also be very reluctant to let the player leave, especially considering Arsene Wenger already looks set to lose several key men including Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez this summer.

The 22-year-old signed a contract until 2023 in November, leaving Arsenal under little or no pressure to sell. As a result, Mundo Deportivo recognise that Bellerin will have to make his intentions clear if he wants to leave the Emirates.

But Bellerin has appeared reluctant to do something so drastic thus far. He continues to owe a debt of gratitude to Wenger, who gave him a chance in the first team when other managers may have not.

It also appears Barcelona have courted the help of their midfielder Denis Suarez, who is currently playing with Bellerin in Poland. Speaking to local radio, he admitted he would love to see the Arsenal star return to Catalonia.

‘The people want the best at Barcelona and I hope Bellerin can come,’ Suarez told Radio Marca. ‘The players of a top level are welcome.