Hector Bellerin could take a pay cut to seal his Arsenal exit with the Premier League’s forgotten man expected to join Real Betis on a bargain deal in the summer transfer window, according to Estadio Deportivo.
When Arsenal’s long-serving right-back put pen to paper with his boyhood club last summer, he probably couldn’t have imagined that things would go this well.
With five La Liga games remaining, Real Betis could still secure Champions League qualification for the first time since losing 2-1 to a Florent Sinama Pongolle and Luis Garcia-inspired Liverpool side all the way back in 2005.
What’s more, Bellerin set up Borja Iglesias’ bullet header with an inch-perfect assist as Manuel Pellegrini’s talented Los Verdiblancos team defeated Valencia in last week’s Copa del Rey final. Betis’ first piece of silverware in 17 years.
No wonder Bellerin wants to stick around.
Has Hector Bellerin played his last game for Arsenal?
According to Estadio Deportivo, the former Barcelona youngster could take a pay cut in order to turn his short-term loan deal into a permanent contract.
The report states that Bellerin earns around £7.5 million (£145,000-a-week) before tax at the Emirates Stadium.
Furthermore, with just one year left on his Arsenal contract, it is understood that Arsenal will accept ‘much less’ than the £9 million fee that has been mooted by some. The very same player was valued closer to £22 million just 12 months ago.
Real Betis are one of the biggest spenders in Spanish football and it is unlikely that they’ll struggle to meet Arsenal’s demands for a man who has five assists in 31 games under former Madrid, West Ham and Manchester City coach Pellegrini.
“It will be possible (that he will stay in Spain) because he’s really happy,” Bellerin’s agent tells Goal.
“But it will depend on many things, especially if they’re going to Champions League or not, because then they would have more budget to afford the permanent transfer.”
Arsenal are expected to bring in a new right-back over the summer, with the Newcastle United-linked Cedric Soares potentially set to follow Bellerin out the door.
Djed Spence and Paraguay international Jhilmar Lora have been linked.
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