Arsenal Transfer News: Moussa Sissoko Rumours and Latest on Hector Bellerin

Arsenal are eager to sign Newcastle United captain Moussa Sissoko after Premier League relegation was confirmed for the north-east club, per Simon Bird of the Mirror.

France international Sissoko could be set to become the first key player to depart St James' Park following their demotion into the second-tier, with north London his most likely destination.

Sissoko is a long-term target of Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who tried to sign the athletic ball-winner as early as December 2014, per the Daily Mail's Simon Jones.

Newcastle were stripped of their best players in 2009 following relegation to the Championship, with the likes of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Sebastien Bassong and Damien Duff all leaving the club. A similar process could yet unfold whether under Rafael Benitez's leadership or not.

Sissoko, who has won 35 international caps for France since making his debut in 2009, joined the club's French contingent in January 2013 on a six-and-a-half-year deal, per the BBC.

Per the Chronicle's Newcastle United Editor Mark Douglas, Sissoko has made it known privately he has not been utilised in his preferred role this season:

Per Sky Sports' Zinny Boswell, Benitez made the 26-year-old skipper—in place of January signing Jonjo Shelvey—for the 3-0 win over Swansea City in April in order to "influence" his compatriot team-mates.

According to Bird, Sissoko has been priced at £10 million to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium and further bolster Arsenal's midfield.

Per Hamish Mackay of the Mirror, Wenger is edging closer to confirming the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach playmaker Granit Xhaka and could add Sissoko to provide further muscle to the central areas. 

Ex-Toulouse player Sissoko has featured in 39 matches in all competitions this term for the Toon, scoring on one occasion and providing seven league assists, per WhoScored.com.

Back in the capital, Arsenal look to be keeping hold of one of their stars of the season, after Hector Bellerin confirmed he would not be returning to La Liga champions Barcelona, per Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t Max Miller of the Metro).

The 21-year-old right-back moved away from the Catalan giants in 2011 before making his first-team breakthrough for Arsenal during the 2014-15 campaign when he made 20 domestic appearances, per Soccerway.

Bellerin was awarded for his fine performances this term by being named in the PFA Team of the Season and was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award—a prize eventually won by Tottenham's Dele Alli.

Per Mundo Deportivo, Bellerin denied he would be returning to the Camp Nou any time soon, stating: "I say this every year, for me my home is in England. Many years I’ve lived in England, I have my family there, I'm living with my girlfriend. I am very happy there, so I don’t see myself anywhere else other than Arsenal."

Per Goal's Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley, former Arsenal defender Lauren said the youngster could become one of the world's best full-backs:

Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe noted his challenge to secure a starting berth at international level: 

Bellerin's turn of speed, quick feet and defensive awareness has made him a first-team regular under Wenger despite his premature age.

After making 36 league starts for the Gunners—in a season where they beat bitter rivals Spurs to second spot—the Spain international was unfortunate to miss out on a place in Vicente del Bosque's squad for the 2016 UEFA European Championship.