Hector Bellerin tipped to leave Arsenal for a ‘new challenge’ by Bacary Sagna

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna believes Hector Bellerin could seek a move away from the Emirates this summer in order to "challenge himself".

Bellerin has been linked with an exit, with the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested in his services.

The 26-year-old has been at Arsenal since 2011 and Sagna believes it may be time for Bellerin to move on.

Speaking to Goal, Sagna said: "Hector has been there for years. He started playing not long after I left, so he has been in the team for like six years.

"And a bit like I felt, he probably feels that he wants to challenge himself because he has been there for a long time.

"It's nothing to do with the club, nothing to do with winning cups or whatever. At some point if you want to progress, in my mind you need to go somewhere and challenge yourself and start from zero again. This is how I felt.

"Arsenal was my club and is still my beloved club, but after seven years I had the feeling that because I was part of the house, even when I didn't deserve to play, I would have played.

"It's quite tricky as a player. Hector's still young, he still has five good years to play at the top level and he can do it. So, if he left now, I wouldn't be surprised."

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi, with the Moroccan a potential replacement for Bellerin if he were to leave the Emirates.

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Sagna has been impressed by Hakimi and added: "I am sure they are assessing the situation quite well and they already have someone in mind [if Bellerin leaves].

"Hakimi is never tired, he's always going forward. He's so fast. I was surprised when I saw him playing for Madrid because for me he was not that good. You could see the potential, but I never expected him to do as well as he is doing now."

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