It’s still amazing to think that clubs have weeks to sort out their transfer business, yet far too often it comes down to deadline day and a mad dash to get everything over the line.
Hector Bellerin has been expected to leave Arsenal all summer and there was a lot of speculation earlier in the window, but a lot of that went quiet and it did start to look like he could remain at the Emirates.
Real Betis were always an interesting suitor as he’s known to be a fan of the club but finances would always be the issue, but it looks like they’ve managed to get a deal done in the last moments of the window:
The finer details of the deal haven’t been announced yet, but earlier reports indicated that it would be a straight loan with no option to buy, while there hasn’t been anything to suggest that’s changed either:
Bellerin is still only 26 but he’s missed several games due to injuries over the years, yet he was also closing in on 250 senior appearances for Arsenal so it’s a big call to let someone with his experience and quality walk out the door.
At this stage, it’s not clear what the long-term plan will be for him, but hopefully, he can stay fit and show what he can do in La Liga and in Europe next season.