Wenger insists Bellerin's long-term future is at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger insists that Hector Bellerin remains a part of Arsenal's long-term plans despite reported interest from Barcelona.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Catalans will attempt to bring the defender back to the Camp Nou and fill the void that Dani Alves left at right-back when he joined Juventus.

However, the Arsenal boss is determined to retain the 21-year-old, who could be in store for a significant pay increase, as Wenger implied a new contract extension could be on the horizon.

"He has nearly three years to go, we always try to get the players to the (financial) level where we think they deserve to be," Wenger told reporters. "We will try to extend his contract, his long-term future is here.

"He has been absolutely fantastic. His first game was a nightmare. The season before he was at Watford where he didn't play. His progress has been brilliant because he has absolutely top mental strength."

Bellerin, a former member of Barcelona's youth system, has drawn interest from the Spanish side's vice president, who suggests the defender could follow in the footsteps of former academy players who have returned after going elsewhere to hone their skills.

Related: Barcelona VP hints at re-signing Arsenal's Bellerin

Despite coming from Barcelona, Wenger believes the five years Bellerin has spent at Arsenal will diminish any desire that the Spanish international may have to return to his hometown.

"I think now that you do not necessarily have to play where you were born," he said.

"Modern life is not exactly like that and what is important is that the player meets his needs where he is and his values, and I think he integrated very well the values of our club and he came at a very, very young age of 15-and-a-half, 16 years of age. I think he is a real Arsenal player."