Arsenal Rumors: Gunners Fan Favorite May Leave Under One Condition

The loaning club of a charismatic Arsenal star could possibly lure him to a permanent transfer, according to his agent.

Originally honed by Barcelona, Hector Bellerin chose to join Arsenal’s academy in 2011 at age 16. At Arsenal, he gradually became one of the most prominent stars, but his working relationship with Mikel Arteta reportedly became fractious after the Gunners manager dropped him from being a first choice.

As a result, Arsenal eventually pulled off Bellerin’s deadline day loan move to La Liga side Real Betis this past summer. And according to the 26-year-old’s agent Albert Botines, there’s a great chance his client will be staying there for good.

Discussing Bellerin’s situation, Botines said that aside from the defender’s desire to stay with Real Betis, the permanent move will be feasible if the Spanish side makes it to the UEFA Champions League this year.

“It will be possible for sure because he’s really happy,” Botines told Goal when asked if Bellerin could join Betis permanently. “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.”

“But we are not thinking about the summer,” he pointed out. “[Bellerin’s] focused day by day, he’s happy and he’s focused to make good games again, to show good skills.”

To date, Bellerin has already played four games for Real Betis, registering one assist in the process. He is still under contract with Arsenal until 2022, but based on his recent comments, it appears that the Spaniard is also open to prolonging his spell with Real Betis.

“I don’t know, but I’ve always said if I didn’t want to be here next season, I wouldn’t have come from the beginning,” Bellerin told El Desmarque. “There are many things to be decided, but what I want to do is enjoy this season that I am here. And what has to happen will happen.”

Shortly after breaking into Arsenal’s first team, Bellerin quickly became a fan favorite at the Emirates Stadium, something Arteta acknowledged after the club loaned the player to the La Liga team.

“He’s an exceptional player, an incredible person and he will be missed,” Arteta said of Bellerin in September.

The manager continued, ”To find someone like Hector is not easy, he’s been raised here with us and is loved by everybody at the football club. I had to say goodbye with sadness, but at the same time, I had to understand his position.”