Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin ’s Real Betis teammate has suggested the idea of a crowdfunding campaign to secure the permanent signing of the right-back.
The Spaniard joined the La Liga side on loan at the start of the season and he has enjoyed a successful campaign at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. The 27-year-old has made 32 appearances in all competitions with the side challenging for a surprise Champions League place throughout the season, whilst they also managed to claim the Copa del Rey under former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Bellerin made what could potentially be his final appearance on home soil on Sunday evening, with Betis overcoming Granada 2-0. He has one further opportunity to turn out for Betis this season, with their season finale coming against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday evening.
While it remains to be seen where his future lies, Betis teammate Borja Iglesias appears keen to retain his services beyond the end of the campaign. Taking to Twitter, the striker wrote: “Hey! Do we open crowdfunding so that @HectorBellerin stays? How do you see it @aRuibal9 [Betis winger]?”
Bellerin himself could well be keen on the idea of staying, having been spotted getting emotional after the full-time whilst against Granada. The defender was filmed spending time on the pitch following the game, with him clearly getting overwhelmed by the moment, even shedding a few tears.
Mirror Sport understands the Spaniard is ready to turn his current loan spell into a permanent deal, with it looking unlikely that Bellerin has a future at the Emirates Stadium. Summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu is the Gunners’ first-choice right-back, with Cedric Soares available as back-up.
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Meanwhile, it has been reported that the North Londoners are leading Juventus and Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Udinese full-back Nahuel Molina. The Argentine’s arrival would see Bellerin left with little to no prospects of first-team football at Arsenal, while he has previously expressed his satisfaction at moving away last summer.
Speaking on Ian Wright’s Wrighty’s House podcast, he said: “I was very lucky that I could be open with him [Mikel Arteta] and we could have a talk where he understood fully. He said, ‘I want to help you’. Not just as a coach but as a friend.
“The respect we have as people is there and I was very happy that Arsenal gave me the opportunity to let me find what I was looking for. You could see at that time it wasn’t working for any of us. It was clear in my head what I needed and I’m happy that it’s fulfilling itself. I’m happy.”
