Why Bellerin would be an ideal signing for Barcelona

The Arsenal right-back grew up at La Masia and could be the long-term replacement for Dani Alves

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It is difficult to improve the first XI at Barcelona. Even after the departure of Dani Alves in the summer, Sergi Roberto has slotted in seamlessly on the right side of defence. However, the feeling at the Catalan club is that, in the long term, the 24-year-old Catalan will be better off in midfield.How Cruyff saved Pep from Barca axe“This season, Sergi Roberto will play more as a full-back,” Barca boss Luis Enrique said in the summer. “But if needed, he can play as a ‘pivote’ [the role operated by Sergio Busquets] or as an ‘interior’ [like Andres Iniesta or Ivan Rakitic]. He is more than a player.”Praise indeed, and with Iniesta reaching the twilight of his career at the age of 32, Sergi Roberto is the latest in a long line of magnificent midfielders to emerge from La Masia. After Xavi came Andres, Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara and then the current Barca right-back. So as Iniesta gets older, Roberto’s role is likely to be in the centre of the park.That means Barca will need another right-back and Aleix Vidal - a La Masia graduate signed from Sevilla in the summer of 2015 - has not convinced Luis Enrique. His head does not appear to be in the right place and a summer sale seems likely.Meet Barca’s Kosovan wonderkid compared to IniestaHowever, there is another man who emerged from Barca’s famous academy who would fit in perfectly on the right flank at Camp Nou and that man is Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin.“He is a player we know because he grew up here,” Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez said in the summer. “However, there is nothing planned at the moment.”Nevertheless, he also added: “To know how to play defensively for Barcelona is difficult. We have to give importance to these players.”Much like Jordi Alba, who came through La Masia before making his name at Valencia, Bellerin could return to the Catalan club and slot in on the right of defence. Indeed, the 21-year-old has admitted that Barca’s interest is “flattering”, although he inisists he is happy at Arsenal.Luis Enrique defends Ter Stegen after Celta blunderThere is no hurry. Arsenal is a good place for Bellerin at the moment, the Gunners’ style similar to Barca’s in many ways and Arsene Wenger a good teacher for the young defender, who is not involved in the latest Spain squad for the games against Italy and Albania.Bellerin boasts bags of pace and has earned a comparison with Cafu from the Brazilian legend himself. That makes him the ideal candidate to replace Alves in the long term, while he also grew up playing in the Barca system. Like with Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal years ago, a move to Camp Nou seems certain to happen at some stage for the young defender – and it should suit everyone concerned at the Catalan club.