Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin who has returned to London following the expiration of his loan spell with Real Betis is willing to take a significant paycut in order to return to his boyhood club Barcelona this summer.
At this point, it is no secret that Barcelona are actively looking for a right-back in the market. Manager Xavi hadn’t included Sergino Dest in his plans for the squad for the season opener against Rayo Vallecano which is being interpreted as a move done to facilitate his departure.
Having signed from Ajax in 2020, Dest hasn’t shown a development trajectory, and Xavi seems to have given up on him. Centre-back Ronald Araujo and later Sergio Roberto were instead asked to play at right-back against Rayo at the Camp Nou, which ended in a goalless draw for the Catalans.
Barcelona were firmly interested in bringing Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta back to Spain but they were handed a blow when the Spaniard decided to extend his contract with Chelsea since the transfer wasn’t completed before the start of the Premier League season.
Also read 👉 Azpilicueta confirms Barca snub after extending Chelsea deal
As a result, the Blaugrana turned their sights to Argentine international Juan Foyth, but Villarreal’s asking price of 42 million euros could prove to be a stumbling block for the club’s plans.
According to Marca, Barcelona have been handed a transfer boost as Arsenal right-back Bellerin would be available for cheap. The player is also willing to lower his salary significantly to secure a return to Camp Nou.
Bellerin came up through the youth ranks of La Masia youth academy before joining Arsenal in 2011. It didn’t take him long to become the Gunners’ established first-choice right-back following a spell of terrific performances. His speed put him a cut above the rest while trying to defend and attack down the flanks.
However, a serious knee injury sidelined him in 2019 and he has been trying to recover his best version since then. The player found some momentum following a successful loan spell with Real Betis which ended in a Copa del Rey victory. But having returned to the Emirates, he finds himself out of favour.
According to Marca, Bellerin would be willing to lower his salary to only 4 million euro per year to ease the financial wage burden on the club who are struggling to fit the La Liga wage cap and salary limits. It remains to be seen whether the transfer gains momentum as we enter the closing stages of the transfer window.
