Arsenal bombshell: Star to reject double-your-money deal and join rivals next year - Times

By London correspondent Tony Hughes

Hector Bellerin is set to reject a £100,000-a-week new contract offer from Arsenal in a bid to join Manchester City next summer, according to a report.

The Times claim the Gunners have offered their Spain right back a five-year deal that would almost double his pay packet of £50,000-a-week.

It is said that Bellerin will turn down the mega deal in a bid to join City next year and reunite with Pep Guardiola.

Barcelona, who lost Bellerin to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2011, are also interested in bringing the Catalan back to the Nou Camp. Their vice-president Jordi Mestre said recently: “He’s a great player, there’s no doubt.”

Bellerin has emerged as the Premier League’s best right-back over the past 12 months and was rewarded for his excellent form by Arsenal with an improved deal in the summer of last year.

The 21-year-old has continued to make huge strides and has been an integral member of Arsene Wenger's side this season.

Bellerin has started all nine of Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League matches, pushing Mathieu Debuchy down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium.

The report states he would like to work with Guardiola and his assistant Mikel Arteta, who helped Bellerin settle at Arsenal and is regarded as a paternal figure by the young defender.

At Barcelona, Bellerini was a member of the club's famous La Masia academy and worked under Guardiola.

Making additions at full-back has been made a priority by City, as Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta have all entered their thirties and will soon need replacing.

In other Arsenal transfer news, the club have £149million to spend on new players.