Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has provided an update on the future of Hector Bellerin at the club as the transfer window draws to an end.
The Spanish defender was once an integral part of the team at Arsenal, having racked up 239 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2013. However, his playing time has slowly been dwindling away in recent times, most notably last season, where he only made three league appearances between March and the end of the season.
A recent report from The Athletic has suggested that the defender is demanding that he leaves the club this summer, noting that Bellerin “is even prepared to take a pay cut if it will help a transfer materialise”.
Watts spoke about the issue on his show and revealed what the latest was when it came to getting Bellerin out the door at the Emirates Stadium, claiming that there are efforts being made to complete a deal, but there is still a lot of work to be done before anything can become official:
“I think if Arsenal are going to do anything in terms of incomings before now and next Tuesday, it will be the right-back situation. Hector Bellerin’s certainly not guaranteed to still be at the club, from what I understand, next Tuesday.
“Nothing has happened with Bellerin yet, though, but talks are ongoing to try and secure him that move away. Obviously, running out of time for it to happen, but everyone at Arsenal, Bellerin, are kind of in agreement that this would be best for all parties. It’s just a case of trying to get the right deal done for Arsenal and the right deal done for Hector Bellerin.”
TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments about Hector Bellerin at Arsenal…
Do you think Arsenal should sell Bellerin this summer?
Yes
No
It is somewhat sad to see the relationship between Arsenal and Bellerin ending like this on such acrimonious terms, with Bellerin appearing to be pretty much desperate to get out of the club judging by his willingness to take a pay cut.
But at least the understanding on both sides means that it should be pretty easy to get a deal done between now and the end of the window, because it’s not as if Arsenal will put themselves in a position to turn down any offer that comes in for him, it’s just down to the player to pick the right club.
And whilst Arsenal might not get as much as they possibly could have done a few years ago when he was arguably at the top of his game and receiving interest, they should just be happy to get any fee they can for him and hopefully use that to bring in someone with a future at the club between now and the end of the window.
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