Barcelona are ready to offer Arsenal £40 million for Hector Bellerin, their former defender and top target in the summer transfer window.

That's according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, who added that the Gunners are expected to keep hold of the Spain international, helped by his long-term contract with the club.

The report comes one day after a multitude of Spanish outlets (via Football Espana) reported Bellerin has already told the Blaugrana he wishes to return to Catalonia.

Per Cross, Bellerin agreed to a new contract with Arsenal earlier this season, but Barcelona have shown a willingness to work within such a situation in the past. The club convinced Cesc Fabregas to return in 2011, amid similar circumstances.

Bellerin has dropped a handful of hints he would be interested in a return during the past year, and he did so again earlier this week in an interview with El Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden).

The 22-year-old would fit a huge need for Barcelona, who haven't had a top-class right-back in their team since Dani Alves departed for Juventus. It's one of the few real needs the Spanish giants have, so they could spend big on the position.

The reported offer of £40 million would be low for a young, stud player with several years left on his contract, but with almost three months left in the transfer window, it could just be a starting point for the Catalans.