Manchester City are set to make an official approach for Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin next week, according to Barcelona-based newspaper Sport.
The report claims that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is waiting for the season to come to an end before starting negotiations with the North London club who will play in this weekend’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
The Spanish outlet also reports that the first offer for the 22-year-old Spaniard will be around £34million.
Sport also claim that City already have an alternative lined up in Benfica’s defender Nelson Semedo should they not agree a deal with Arsenal for Bellerin.
It was also reported that La Liga giants Barcelona have not spoken to Arsenal nor made any contact with Bellerin or his agent as they are awaiting the arrival of their new manager before discussing any transfer deals.
The Spanish full-back has been a first-team regular at the Emirates Stadium since breaking onto the scene during the 2013-2014 season.
However, Bellerin has endured a frustrating end to the season as he never seemed to recover from receiving jeers from the Arsenal fans in the 3-0 loss away at Crystal Palace in April.
Following that defeat, Arsene Wenger opted to change formation and deploy a back three which saw the Spaniard replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the right-sided defensive position.
Bellerin only started four out of the final nine Premier League matches and he was only restored back into the starting lineup because Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 victory against Southampton.
In total, the Spaniard made 33 Premier League appearances this season and his only goal came in the 3-1 win against Everton on the final day of the league season.