Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin will reportedly forgo his remaining salary with the Gunners in order to sign permanently for Real Betis, the club the defender spent last season with.
According to BeSoccer, the Spanish international is eager to depart Arsenal for good this summer and to return to Seville with Betis, with the defender willing to give up his remaining wages with the Gunners, around £5m, to make his ‘dream move’ a reality.
Bellerin came through Arsenal’s academy and was once considered one of Europe’s most exciting fullbacks, however, an ACL injury robbed the defender of his most dangerous asset, his speed, and performances in the Premier League since this event have been subpar.
As a result, Bellerin signed for Betis last season and enjoyed his best campaign in some time, with the defender winning the Copa del Rey and becoming a regular in Manuel Pellegrini’s exciting squad, with a permanent return to Spain now on the cards for the 26-year-old.
Once valued as highly as £45m as per the Independent, Bellerin’s career has been an interesting one, yet like many top-paid players at Arsenal, the defender looks set to leave north London for absolutely nothing, following a similar path as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Willian, with other players likely to also leave for free this summer just to get them off the wage bill.
Indeed, Bellerin still remains Arsenal’s highest-paid defender at a reported £100,000-a-week, and whilst the Gunners stand to miss out on any sort of profit for the former FC Barcelona academy star, supporters will be a lot more understanding of the Emirates Stadium fan favourite leaving for nothing than other players this summer.
Bellerin signing for Betis is the perfect outcome for Arsenal cult hero
Bellerin was always set to leave Arsenal this summer, and signing for Betis on a permanent deal was a transfer that many supporters wanted to see happen given how impressive the defender was for the La Liga side last season, with the club perfect for the 26-year-old.
After all, Betis will have European football again next season in the form of the UEFA Europa League, and Bellerin was a key player for Pellegrini in the former West Ham manager’s incredible campaign with the Andalusian giants, meaning the fullback can get back to where he left off should he return in the coming weeks.
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