Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is planning for Hector Bellerin to return to Arsenal next season when his loan spell at Real Betis comes to an end.
The Spaniard ended a 10-year stay in North London when he secured a deadline day loan move to Los Verdiblancos last summer. He has enjoyed an immensely successful period with his boyhood club helping them claim their first trophy in 17 years thanks to a victory over Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.
Betis are also in with a fighting chance of claiming Champions League qualification, and Bellerin 's impressive performances have sparked rumours that the La Liga side could be looking to bring him in for around €10 million this summer. However, Arteta has revealed that he is still planning for the 27-year-old to come back to the Emirates next year.
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"Any player with a contractual obligation with us, both ways, is our player and is considered our player," the Gunners boss said. "Every plan considers that possibility (that Bellerin could stay) exists and how they can fit into our team."
Should Bellerin return he would face quite a battle on his hands to ensure regular game time. Takehiro Tomiyasu has impressed since coming in from Bologna, while Cedric Soares has deputised well in his absence, and contrary to some reports football.london understands that the Portuguese international wants to stay. Ainsley Maitland-Niles meanwhile is still an Arsenal player, while youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy has impressed during his loan spell with Lincoln City in the second half of this season.
With this in mind, it's not surprising that reports have emerged that the Spaniard would like to make his move to Betis permanent, with some suggesting that he would be willing to take a wage cut to make it happen. He will be entering the final year of his contract this summer, meaning that this will represent a final opportunity for Arsenal to obtain a fee for a player that was once considered one of their brightest academy prospects.
Elsewhere Arteta revealed that he, Edu and the Arsenal board are fully clear on what they want to do this summer in the transfer market. The Spaniard did, however, admit that whether the Gunners qualify for the Champions League or not could play a part in who they're able to bring in. "It’s not as easy as that," he said when asked if he would be bringing in several players regardless of where Arsenal finish. "But the plan is very clear."
