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Football London
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Sam Hill

Barcelona set for last minute transfer talks for Arsenal favourite following contract decision

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin looks set to leave the club on Deadline Day after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract.

The Spanish defender spent last season on loan with Real Betis and could return to La Liga before the transfer window closes tonight. Bellerin has fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta and is actively pursuing an exit from the Emirates Stadium as he looks to play regular first-team football.

football.london understands the 27-year-old is keen to secure a return to Real Betis, but the La Liga sides' financial struggles mean a deal is currently difficult to do. The Arsenal defender made the move to north London after graduating from the famous Barcelona academy La Masia and could be set for a return to Camp Nou on Deadline day.

READ MORE: Arsenal make £25m Douglas Luiz decision after Leicester set Youri Tielemans transfer demand

Arsenal have been able to move on a number of fringe players this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to reshape his squad heading into a busy period of fixtures in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup. Bernd Leno and Lucas Torreira have left on permanent deals, whilst Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari and Alex Runarsson have all left on season-long loan deals.

Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles both look set to depart the Gunners on Deadline Day, with the former now attracting interest from his boyhood club. Arsenal have agreed to terminate the 27-year-old's contract with Barcelona in advanced talks to sign Bellerin before the window closes, according to Evening Standard.

The Spaniard has waited until the final day of the summer transfer window to see if Barcelona will act on their interest and submit an offer for his services, according to SPORT. Bellerin's priority is a return to Barcelona, and he has already turned down three offers as he waits to see if a move to Xavi Hernandez's side comes to fruition.

Italian sides Udinese, Sassuolo and Atalanta all explored the possibility of signing the 27-year-old but were told he only wanted a move to Barca. Sergino Dest is thought to be on the verge of sealing a loan move to join AC Milan, freeing up space in Xavi's squad for a new right-back.

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