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 (
Image:
PA Wire)

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.

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“I would not sign players who leave.

"Why are they leaving at 16 or 17? It’s baffling to me. I don’t understand it.

"You were here, you wanted to leave, then you don’t come back.”