Hector Bellerin’s Arsenal contract is threatening to derail his dream of a permanent move to Real Betis.
The Spanish full-back has been with the Gunners for more than a decade, signing from Barcelona as a youngster and progressing through the club’s academy. Since graduating to the first team, Bellerin has made nearly 250 appearances for Arsenal.
But he admits that he fell out of love with football in recent times at North London, with his form eluding him in his most recent campaign in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta, who saw Takehiro Tomiyasu arrive last summer, sanctioned a season-long loan deal for Bellerin which enabled him to join his boyhood club Betis.
And the right-back enjoyed an excellent season in Andalucia, helping Manuel Pellegrini’s side to the Copa del Rey, playing 120 minutes of their penalty shootout victory over Valencia. Following his final appearance of the season Bellerin was unable to hide his emotion and has subsequently made it clear it’s his desire to return to the LaLiga club next season. However, it is believed that his £100,000-per-week Arsenal contract could prohibit Betis from making the deal permanent.
Bellerin has 12 months remaining on his Gunners contract and Arteta has refused to close the door on any loanee having a future back at their parent club. “Any player with a contractual obligation with us, both ways, is our player and is considered our player so every plan is considered if that possibility exists and how they could fit in our team,” he explained last month.
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But that doesn’t appear to be in Bellerin’s plans, with the Spain international issuing an emotional message to Betis supporters, admitting he hopes he can return again.
“Even if I tried, I'm finding it very difficult to express what this year has meant to me,” he posted on Instagram. “There are no words to describe my feelings, so hopefully, these pictures will help you understand.
“Thanks to everyone in the Betis universe for helping me fall in love again with this sport, for all your passion and for making me feel like one of your own from the start. I want to thank my teammates for their kindness, humility, and love since I stepped into the dressing room. You have made me feel like I’ve been a part of this way longer than I have.
“Thanks to all the coaching and medical staff, for their trust and their work, but also to everyone behind the scenes at the club whose work goes unnoticed.
“Thank you to the board and directors for believing in me and helping make a dream of mine come true, a dream that has exceeded all expectations I had when I made my way to the Villamarin.
“And of course, thanks to my family and my people for their unconditional love and support and for introducing me from early to this passion called Betis. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and I hope we can meet again, Viva el Betis.”
