Hector Bellerin: Where next for Arsenal's forgotten man?

Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin: Real Betis? Roma? Where next for Arsenal's forgotten man? 

By Ben Hart

It once seemed that Hector Bellerin would be a mainstay of the Arsenal defence for over a decade.
 
When the Spaniard lifted the FA Cup aloft at the climax of his breakout season in 2015, the then 20-year-old had all the makings of an Arsenal legend.
 
But as has been the case for many of his teammates in years gone by, an unhappy cocktail of injuries, inconsistency and the team’s gradual decline stopped Bellerin from realising his full potential.  
 
His slight cockney twang made the Emirates seem like a natural home, but after more than a decade in North London he is seeking a new club to call his own.
 
The question is, where will Bellerin end up this summer?

 

Real Betis

 

After a season on loan in Spain, Bellerin has made it clear that his preference is to reunite with Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini.
 
Such was the bond that Bellerin developed with Los Verdiblancos fans that he was in tears after playing his final home game at the end of last season.
 
After the conclusion of that loan he said: "I have made my position clear to both clubs. Now we have two months to get the best deal for all three parties.
 
"It is also true that I had very nice moments in London, in England. Arsenal has given a lot, the opportunity to be a professional. If I leave, it will be difficult, but hopefully everything goes as we want."
 
Bellerin started in the Copa Del Rey final as the club won their first trophy for 17 years in April. In total he made 32 appearances across all competitions as the club secured a fifth-place finish in La Liga, which secured a Europa League group stage spot.
 
That means the 27-year-old could well line up against the Gunners in Europe next season if he returns to the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
 
But that decision appears to be beyond his control. With Betis reluctant to meet Arsenal’s rumoured £18 million asking price, reports have suggested that Bellerin hopes to follow in the footsteps of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Sead Kolasinac and Willian and have his contract ripped up to force through a move.
 
Arsenal are determined to see some return on a player they have nurtured since the age of 16, so a compromise may be necessary if negotiations with the Seville-based club are to prove successful.  

Hector Bellerin

 

Roma

 

Jose Mourinho has taken a liking to a number of Arsenal players in recent years.
 
The former Chelsea boss took Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan for the second half of the previous campaign, and also made a move for Granit Xhaka last summer.
 
Bellerin could well be his next target. According to reports in Italy, Mourinho wants Bellerin after being priced out of a move for Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
 
The Portuguese is expected to be heavily backed in the window after winning the inaugural Europa Conference League.
 
Roma predominantly fielded a variation of a 3-4-3 system last season, and a wing-back role may suit the wantaway defender, given his crossing and dribbling abilities.
 
Regular first-team action is not a guarantee in the Italian capital, however. Rick Karsdorp racked up 51 appearances in all competitions last term in Bellerin’s prospective position, his best return for the club since arriving in 2017.

Whether Roma are prepared to meet Arsenal’s asking price for a potential squad player remains to be seen.

 

Elsewhere in Europe

 

Rather surprisingly for a player whose best days seem to be behind him, Bellerin is attracting interest from a number of European giants.
 
Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus are all said to be monitoring Bellerin’s situation.
 
The issue for Mikel Arteta and technical director, Edu, is the short supply of cash on the continent, with many clubs still feeling the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
The pair may well be forced to accept an offer well before their valuation.

 

Arsenal

 

There is of course the possibility that Bellerin stays at Arsenal until his contract expires in the summer of 2023.

 

Although Takehiro Tomiyasu enjoyed a stellar first season in England, Bellerin arguably provides better cover than current deputy Cedric Soares.

 

Staying for an additional 12 months would allow Bellerin to leave on a free, and negotiate better financial terms with his next club.

 

Arteta has shown a willingness to reintegrate players he previously deemed surplus to requirements, namely Mohamed Elneny.

 

That raises the question: could Bellerin extend his 11-year stay in Arsenal for one more season?


Photo Credit: Getty Images 

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