Manquillo loan to Liverpool likely, because of Arsenal internal solution

There was talk a couple of weeks ago that in addition to Mathieu Debuchy, Arsenal could bring in a second fullback this summer - Atletico Madrid youngster Javier Manquillo, on what was rumored to be a loan deal with an option to buy. But now it appears that Manquillo will be going to Liverpool instead, and on a similar deal. Why's that?

Well, first of all there's no right back emergency at Arsenal. Debuchy is likely nailed on as first choice, and Carl Jenkinson has proven to be a worthy backup over the past couple of years. But there's also this:

Wenger no aceptó las concidiones del #Atleti para la cesión de Manquillo, pero tiene la solución en casa y con otro español: Héctor Bellerín

— Kike Marin** (@Kike_Marin_) July 23, 2014

The translation, from Twitter:

Wenger did not accept the terms of the #Atleti for the transfer of Manquillo, but has the solution in-house and with other Spanish: Héctor Bellerín

You may remember Bellerin: Barcelona youngster at Arsenal since 2011, played half a game against Boreham Wood last weekend. Keshani's pleased:

It’s Héctor Bellerín FC, not Arsenal FC

— Michael Keshani (@RoamingLibero) July 23, 2014

Honestly I am too. I've been impressed when I've seen him, and it's pretty clear that Arsene Wenger has as well. He has enough in front of him that he won't be rushed, but he's a very talented player who could be in the first team set up soon anyway - perhaps even within a year. This also might explain the rapid evaporation of any connection between Arsenal and Serge Aurier. If Wenger thinks Bellerin could be the better player, it's better to buy the more polished defender (Debuchy) to replace Bacary Sagna, and hold the place until Bellerin is ready.