Villarreal Express Interest in Signing Arsenal Right-back Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin, AS Roma, Villarreal, Barcelona

According to reports, La Liga side Villarreal are the latest side interested in signing Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin. The defender has had an impressive 2021/22 season with Real Betis, making the Spanish side express their interest in the right-back.

The 27-year-old spent a season-long loan spell at Real Betis last season and his impressive performances have caught the attention of several clubs. The Spaniard fell down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium, making him choose a loan move to his home country to get valuable game-time.

Hector Bellerin, Villarreal — Image obtained via GOAL

Bellerin’s permanent move away from Arsenal now looks imminent. The Gunners have replaced the Spanish defender with Takehiro Tomiyasu along with a good backup in Cedric Soares. It will now be very difficult for Bellerin to get into the good books of manager Mikel Arteta. The player looked more comfortable playing in Spain than he did during his later stages in England.

According to Tutto Juve (via Caught Offside), Villarreal have recently shown their interest in signing Hector Bellerin this summer. The Spanish full-back has also caught the eyes of Juventus and AS Roma. Bellerin has already returned to the Emirates after his loan spell with Betis ended in June.

Recently, he captained the Arsenal side in the pre-season friendly game against Nurnburg, which suggests that he still may have a future at the North London club. However, he was loaned out at the age of 27 and that is not a good sign for the player. Clubs usually tend to keep those loaned players who are young, but Bellerin is an established player. If the Spaniard somehow convinces Arteta positively during the pre-season, then there is a slim chance for him to stay and keep his place in the squad.

Hector Bellerin spent last season on-loan at Real Betis and has reportedly told Arsenal that he wants to leave the club this summer. ➡️

The Spaniard could be reunited with former Gunners boss Unai Emery as Villarreal are potentially in for him. ✍️#AFC #Arsenal #Bellerin pic.twitter.com/bJ5XTsiPby

— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) July 3, 2022

That outcome seems very unlikely because Arsenal are also looking for a right-back in the market right now. This demonstrates that the Gunners do not plan to include Bellerin in the squad. Moreover, sometimes, some players are more suited to a particular league and the 27-year-old could be a player who shines more in Spain than in England. So, he should move on and not wait for things to happen in England.

Why Letting Hector Bellerin Go Is The Best Move For Arsenal?

Hector Bellerin was one of the first names on the Arsenal lineup before Arteta took over. The Spanish right-back does not exactly fit the player profile that manager wants and also has had a few poor performances. This led to the decision of loaning him out in a hope that he finds his form in Spain. Although he has been impressive at Betis, Tomiyasu has been equally important to the North London side.

Since Arsenal are going through a rebuilding phase, they will need more capital to sign more players. They have recently completed the signing of Gabriel Jesus and want to pursue more important signings like Lisandro Martinez. The Gunners now prioritise signing a midfielder and a right-back, and possibly even a left-back as cover.

Selling Hector Bellerin to Villarreal will give Arsenal some funds to make one more signing. They could possibly get a right-back by selling a right-back. It is very important for a manager to get what he wants during the rebuilding phase and Arteta has so far been getting that support from the Arsenal board.

On the other hand, Bellerin will finally get a fresh start elsewhere which will help him return to his best self. The 27-year-old still has a few years of top-flight football left in him and should capitalise on the opportunity while he still has it. Both Arsenal and Hector Bellerin should move forward with the transfer which will profit both parties in the end.

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