Hector Bellerin to Barcelona: Arsenal transfer 'very difficult' due to long-term contract, says Robert Fernandez

Hector Bellerin would be "very difficult" for Barcelona to sign due to the length of the Arsenal defender's contract, according to Camp Nou sporting director Robert Fernandez.

Bellerin followed Cesc Fabregas' path from Barca's youth system to Arsenal in 2011, and has become a key player for Arsene Wenger's Gunners after making the right-back position his own.

The Spain international's impressive performances down the right flank led to him signing a new six-year deal at the Emirates back in November, but doubts have been raised over Bellerin's long-term future.

The 22-year-old recently hinted he was more likely to stay at Arsenal if Wenger remains as manager, but also spoke of transfer interest from Manchester City as a "compliment".

Standard Sport understands that Barcelona remain interested in bringing Bellerin back to the Camp Nou, but Fernandez has suggested that value is important to Barca given the fees needed to part players on long-term contracts from their clubs.

"Of course Hector is a good player," ESPN FC quotes Fernandes as telling El Mundo Deportivo.

"He is well known. He is playing at a great level but there are also other players that have good characteristics."

When asked about the possibility of signing the likes of Bellerin, Juventus' Paulo Dybala or Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti, Fernandez replied: "Those players are under contract with their respective clubs.

"And especially when a player has a long-term contract, it's very difficult.

"We are open to bringing reinforcements, to sign a player, and always have in mind the idea of improving the team, but to improve Barcelona's team, especially our first team, it's very difficult because we have a magnificent side.

"We have to give value to what we have."

Fernandez has been handed the task of deciding who Barca's next coach will be after Luis Enrique announced he will step down from the role this summer.