Barcelona looking at Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta after Arsenal issue formal warning over Hector Bellerin transfer interest

Barcelona looking at Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta after Arsenal issue formal warning over Hector Bellerin transfer interest

 Spanish giants were willing to pay £30m for their old boy but the Gunners told him and them he's going nowhere

Barcelona have dropped their interest in Hector Bellerin after an official protest from Arsenal, writes John Cross in Sydney.

It comes after the Gunners told Bellerin he could not go, and also formally wrote to Spanish giants Barca telling them to stop trying to unsettle the Spanish right-back.

The Nou Camp club, who were willing to pay £30million to bring back a player who moved to Arsenal as a free agent in 2012, now appear to be ready to move for Chelsea ’s Cesar Azpilicueta, so Bellerin – who has six years left on his contract – will stay at Arsenal.

Spain international Azpilicueta has won two titles in three years at Chelsea.

Bellerin appears to confirm Arsenal stay with tweet — and Gunners fans are delighted

Barcelona legend Xavi says his old club are right not to pursue the 22-year-old, because they should not re-sign former players.

Xavi said: “I haven’t seen him play a lot, but I’ll tell you something, it’s difficult for me to accept signing a player we already had.