ESPN Pundit fancies Hector Bellerin to join Juventus

Former Arsenal forward Paul Mariner has suggested that Hector Bellerin would be able to make better progress in his career, should he make the move to Juventus at the end of the season. The Spain international has not been able to replicate his sparkling form since a knee injury last term, but he still remains the first-choice right-back in the Gunners' ranks.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Mariner believes that the Old Lady should jump at the chance of signing Bellerin in the summer after having previously failed with an approach prior to his contract extension in 2016. Stephan Lichsteiner has been widely tipped to leave on a free transfer in July, and the 64-year-old has backed Bellerin to replace him with his pace being a key attribute of his style of play.

"To be honest it makes sense for Juventus. Lichtsteiner, 34, coming towards the end of his career, even though he’s got incredible fitness, powers. Dani Alves has already gone to Paris Saint-Germain, so they do need somebody in that spot. He [Bellerin] can fill that role, he’s got a great engine, he gets up and down for fun," he said.

Despite this, the Gunners should be confident of keeping hold of the right-sided defender with his existing deal only due to expire in the summer of 2023. The ex-La Masia graduate is also said to have a close relationship with manager Arsene Wenger, who turned him into a proper defender, and he is likely to stay put until the Frenchman's reign at the least.

Juventus have not been able to find a proper replacement for Dani Alves since his switch to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the summer, and both Lichtsteiner and Mattia de Sciglio have been rotated around on the right side of the defence this term. With Alex Sandro and Kwadwo Asamoah also linked with potential exits, the Bianconeri could be planning for an overhaul in the full-back positions.