Many an Arsenal fan vigorously punched the sofa when news emerged at the end of last season that Dani Alves was to depart Barcelona for Juventus.
Barcelona, who were already somewhat light at the right-back position, were widely expected to strengthen that side of the pitch with the 33-year-old Brazilian on his way to Italy.
Considering what had gone before with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry and even Alex Hleb, Gooners must have hoped Arsene Wenger would hide Hector Bellerín under a pile of impossible-to-tie coats until the transfer window passed. Thankfully from their perspective, Bellerín perhaps surprisingly wasn't really linked with the Spanish champions, with Luis Enrique instead showing faith in former central midfielder Sergi Roberto to deputise in Alves' absence.
But with the transfer window now slammed shut in a blaze of blinding yellow and bombastic bollocksology, 'one of those stories from Spain' has emerged which will have them feeling uneasy once more.
The Daily Mail are reporting that former La Masia product Bellerín will be Barcelona's top transfer priority next summer. And while you may scoff, the comments of Barca vice-president Jordi Mestre in Spanish publication Sport seem to all-but confirm the inevitable, with Bellerín reportedly being valued at £35m by the Catalan giants:
We've already seen him as a Cule [Barcelona fan]. He's a great player - there's no doubt about that.
Wenger convinced him to move and promised him something which we couldn't. We could not promise him that within two years he would be playing in Dani Alves' place.
In many cases it's good that they leave to develop as players and then return [with that experience]. Look at the cases of Cesc, [Gerard] Pique, [Jordi] Alba and Denis Suarez… I hope the same thing will happen with [Sergi] Samper too.
It's positive that [these players] get minutes at other clubs. It is a dynamic which has always provided good results for players that carry the Barca DNA in their blood.
Ah, you shlippery eel, Jordi.
Bellerín joined Arsenal from Barcelona five years ago, and has always been tipped for a return in future having cemented himself as one of the top right-backs in the Premier League, and indeed Europe.
It seems Barcelona may look to accelerate that process and bring the 21-year-old home next summer.
