Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has admitted that "it would be very difficult" for his club to re-sign Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin at the end of the season.
The Spanish champions were strongly linked with a move for their former full-back last summer, but Bellerin ultimately signed a new six-and-a-half-year contract with his Premier League club.
Barcelona have still not replaced Dani Alves at Camp Nou, however, and Sergi Roberto has struggled to fill the right-back position for the Catalan giants this season.
The 21-year-old represented Barcelona between 2003 and 2011 before leaving to join Arsenal, where he has developed into one of the most exciting full-backs in the European game.
Fernandez has admitted that the Spanish champions would be interested in re-signing Bellerin, but any deal "would be very difficult" due to Arsenal's desire to keep the Spain international.
"Of course Hector is a good player but it would be very difficult," Fernandez told Mundo Deportivo. "He is well known. He is playing at a great level but there are also other players that have good characteristics."
Last week, Bellerin, who failed to make the latest Spain squad, described Barcelona's interest in him as "special".
Matt Law
