Atletico Madrid want to sign Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin this summer and are prepared to offer Vitolo in return as a makeweight, claims The Daily Telegraph.
Despite the fact Bellerin is expected to miss the start of next season with a knee injury sustained in January, the 24-year-old has emerged a shock transfer target for Atletico.
Diego Simeone plans to overhaul Atletico’s defensive options this summer following the departures of Filipe Luis, Lucas Hernandez and Diego Godin.
The Spanish giants are also planning for the future at right-back with Juanfran set to turn 35 midway through next season and have earmarked Bellerin as his long-term replacement.
Bellerin has previously been linked with a return to Barcelona and move to Juventus but has struggled to find his best form in the last few years.
Arsenal would be reluctant to lose Bellerin this summer and Atletico plan to use Vitolo as a makeweight in talks to tempt manager Unai Emery.
The Gunners are on the market for winger this summer and have already been heavily linked with a move for former Atletico ace Yannick Carrasco.
Talks have stalled for the Belgium international due to the fee being demanded by Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang.
Atletico are now ready to solve a problem position at Arsenal by offering Emery the chance to work with Vitolo again following their time together at Sevilla.
Vitolo left Sevilla to join Atletico in the summer of 2017 but, like most wingers under Simeone, he has failed to make any impact at the club.
The former Spain international started just five LaLiga matches last season and has only scored one league goal in 34 league appearances for the club.
