Hector Bellerin, Arsenal, Gunners, Emirates Stadium, Premier League
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is likely to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer but the club have not discussed terminating his contract, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.
The Lowdown: Bellerin’s contract
The Spaniard has entered the final 12 months of his deal in north London, with seemingly no prospect of game-time under Mikel Arteta this season, having not even made the 20-man matchday squad against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
According to reports emerging from Spain, the Gunners have accepted they are unlikely to receive a fee for the 27-year-old. As a result, they are said to be willing to cut the full-back’s deal short and let him re-join Real Betis on a permanent basis after he spent the 2021/22 campaign there on loan.
Bellerin’s former team-mate Borja Iglesias has claimed that the Arsenal man is desperate to return to the La Liga outfit.
The Latest: Taylor’s claim
Whilst Taylor expects the four-cap Spain international to leave the Emirates and join Betis this summer, he doesn’t believe that a termination of the defender’s £110,000-per-week contract has been considered by the club.
Speaking with GiveMeSport, the reliable journalist claimed: “At the moment, I’m told there’s nothing in talks that he’s going to mutually terminate his contract, I do think that is something that could still happen, but as of now, it’s not something that has been discussed.
“There’s an appreciation that he wants to return to Real Betis, and it will probably happen, but at the moment, he’s still very much an Arsenal player.”
Should Arsenal keep Bellerin?
Yes
No
The Verdict: La Liga return could suit everyone
During his year-long loan stint in Spain, Bellerin made 23 appearances in La Liga and featured four times for Betis in the Europa League. More impressively, he made five appearances in the Copa del Rey, helping the club to their first major trophy in 17 years.
During the league campaign, the 27-year-old averaged 2.3 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game, earning a solid 6.87 match rating for the year (via WhoScored). The tackling average was better than anyone who played in more than two league matches under Mikel Arteta in 2021/22.
Therefore, with limited game-time on the table at Arsenal, a move back to Betis would appear to be the best option possible for the Gunners defender.
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