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Arsenal 'perform U-turn on Hector Bellerin contract stance'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 August 2022

Arsenal 'perform U-turn on Bellerin contract stance'

Arsenal are reportedly ready to terminate Hector Bellerin's contract and allow the right-back to depart on a free transfer to Real Betis.

Arsenal could reportedly consider a U-turn on their stance over Hector Bellerin's contract and allow the right-back to depart for free this summer.

The 27-year-old - who shared a dressing room with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta as a player - fell behind Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the pecking order last year.

Bellerin would return to his homeland for a season-long loan at Real Betis, during which he became a regular under Manuel Pellegrini and helped Los Verdiblancos win the Copa del Rey.

Bellerin came up with five assists in 32 appearances across all tournaments for Betis, who have been determined to strike a permanent deal for the Spain international.

However, Bellerin is still contracted to Arsenal for another year, and up until now, the Gunners have refused to entertain the idea of another high-profile termination.

Hector Bellerin in action for Real Betis in February 2022 © Reuters

The Gunners are understood to have been holding out for a £7.5m fee to sell Bellerin, and Betis are struggling to put the appropriate financial package together.

The former Barcelona youngster has supposedly informed Arsenal that he will forgo the last of his wages to leave this summer, and he may ultimately get his wish.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, Bellerin's representatives are now in talks with Arsenal over a possible contract termination, and his return to Betis is "only a matter of time".

Arsenal have already allowed numerous high-profile players to leave for free after terminating their contracts in recent years, namely Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.

Sead Kolasinac, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi also left in similar fashion, and Bellerin is set to sever ties with Arsenal after an 11-year spell in North London.

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin celebrates scoring their third goal on February 14, 2021 © Reuters

The Spaniard - who has been involved in Arsenal's pre-season - has amassed nine goals and 29 assists in 239 outings for the Gunners since joining from Barcelona's academy in 2011.

Bellerin has won three FA Cups and three Community Shields in red and white and is set to be part of a mass exodus from London Colney within the next few weeks.

Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi and Dinos Mavropanos have already left the club on permanent deals, and Pablo Mari is said to be in talks over a loan switch to Monza with an obligation to buy if the club avoid relegation from Serie A.

Galatasaray are now regarded as the favourites to sign Lucas Torreira, but the Uruguay international is allegedly stalling over a move to Turkey.

Arsenal also confirmed a pair of loan deals on Wednesday, with Folarin Balogun joining Reims while Charlie Patino has signed a short-term deal with Blackpool.