Hector Bellerin has dropped a huge transfer hint ahead of his return to Arsenal. The Spaniard had a successful season on loan at boyhood club Real Betis as he helped the club win their first major trophy in 17 years.
Betis president Angel Haro revealed earlier this month, via Goal, that Bellerin will return to north London despite the La Liga outfit's desire to keep him in Spain: "Hector is a fanatic player and a very good person. It was a loan that we had from Arsenal, now he returns to Arsenal and from then on, we'll see. It is true that he has been very caught up in everything about Betis because, in addition, his parents are Betis fans. Hopefully we cross paths again."
Bellerin's deal runs out with the Gunners in 2023, but with Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu the current choices on his flank, and with Arsenal still looking to strengthen in the full-back area, it's been widely suggested that he'll leave the club for good before September. Whether that will see him return to Betis remains to be seen, but in a heartfelt message to the Spanish club's supporters on social media.
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"Even if I tried I'm finding it very difficult to express what this year has meant to me," he said. "There are no words I can find to describe my feelings, so hopefully, these pictures will help you all understand.
"Thanks to everyone in the Betis universe for helping me fall in love again with this sport, for all your passion and for making me feel like one of your own from the start. I want to thank my teammates for their kindness, humility, and love since I stepped into the dressing room. You have made me feel like I've been a part of this way longer than I have.
He added: "Thanks to all the coaching and medical staff, for their trust and their work, but also to everyone behind the scenes at the club whose work goes unnoticed. Thank you to the board and directors for believing in me and helping make a dream of mine come true, a dream that has exceeded all expectations I had when I made my way to the Villamarin.
And of course, thanks to my family and my people for their unconditional love and support and for introducing me from early to this passion called Betis. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and I hope we can meet again. Viva el Betis."
The end of Bellerin's message in particular seemed to suggest that he'd like to be given the chance to make the move permanent. Whether that will happen this window or some point in the future is unknown, but he's clearly enjoyed his time away from Arsenal.
