Arsenal technical director Edu has already indicated that the club will not stand in Hector Bellerin's way should he wish to cancel his contract in order to join Real Betis on a permanent transfer.
The 27-year-old has less than a year remaining on his deal at the Emirates Stadium but hopes of sealing a return to the Benito Villamarin Stadium - following a successful loan spell last season - hinge on a few financial factors being resolved as it's been reported that the La Liga outfit are not keen on paying a £7m transfer fee.
However, that may not be too much of an issue as Spanish publication BeSoccer claim that Bellerin is willing to terminate his contract 11 months early thus giving up his remaining wages that will save Arsenal around £5m in order to make his 'dream move' to Real Betis a reality.
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Cancelling player contracts and not receiving a transfer fee has become somewhat of a recurring theme for Arsenal since Edu returned to the club in his technical director role in the summer of 2019 as this has been the fate for Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac and Willian.
In an ideal world, the north London outfit would be able to command a transfer fee for a player entering his prime years regardless of the contract situation. Although, as already explained by Edu, Bellerin's big wages - £110,000-a-week as per Spotrac - means it will be 'an investment' to pay him to leave as the right-back is unlikely to feature in Mikel Arteta's plans next season.
"If you imagine, 'Oh, no problem: this season we’re going to expose the player a little bit more and then we sell them' - no, be realistic," he said. "You don’t want to sell the player. Try to avoid one more year with the problem inside, in the dressing room, expensive, not performing.
"Clean, take it out. Even, I’m sorry, if you have to pay. To leave is better. Because that guy is sometimes also blocking someone. Take it out. I know it hurts, I know it’s strange when I go to the board and say: "Sometimes it’s better to pay a player to leave, than maintain them."
"But I consider it an investment. Sometimes people say: 'It’s expensive'. I say: 'No, it’s investment.' But someone will pay if you sell? No, guys - if the player is above 26, 27 and not performing, big salary, no chance."
If Bellerin is granted his wish and is released from his Arsenal contract to become a free agent, he will likely have to accept a pay cut in order to join Real Betis and with the two clubs competing in the Europa League next season a swift reunion for the Spaniard could be on the cards.
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