Hector Bellerin could be one of several first-team players to leave Arsenal before the summer transfer window closes and it's clear where his dream destination is.
The right-back, who is part of the Gunners' US pre-season tour squad despite speculation regarding his future, spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Real Betis and helped the La Liga side claim a top-five finish in the league as well as ending their 17-year trophy drought with success in the Copa del Rey.
With less than a year remaining on his Arsenal contract, Bellerin is in a position where he can leave on a free next summer if his hopes of sealing a permanent move to the Benito Villamarin do not materialise between now and deadline day at the beginning of September.
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But judging by the defender's previous comments regarding his next move, the dream scenario would be for him to follow in the footsteps of Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi and Konstantinos Mavropanos in becoming the latest senior player to depart on a permanent basis this summer.
"I have made my position clear to both clubs," he told Betis TV in May. "Now we have two months to get the best deal for all three parties. I have always said I made an effort to come here, and I am willing to make every effort to keep it going because it is my home, and I am happy.
"It is also true that I had very nice moments in London, in England. Arsenal has given me a lot, the opportunity to be a professional. If I leave, it will be difficult, but hopefully, everything goes as we want."
According to reports in Spain, the 27-year-old's stance has not changed. In fact, he only has eyes for Betis after turning down approaches from unnamed teams in Italy and he highlighted his love for the La Liga outfit following his substitute appearance for the Gunners in their 3-1 win over Orlando City this week.
As spotted by @InfoRBB on Twitter, Bellerin directly handed the shirt he wore against the MLS outfit to a Real Betis supporter in the crowd at the full-time whistle. This can be seen as another transfer message to the Spanish club that the right-back is keen on a return.
However, for this deal to go through, there are some financial factors that must be resolved. First being the transfer fee as Arsenal are said to be holding out for £7m - a £10.1m price drop as his previous price-tag was said to be in the region of €20m (£17.1m) as per Sport Witness.
Although it has been reported that Betis don't want to pay that figure - despite hoping to raise £20m-£25m with the sale of Alex Moreno - and Bellerin's wages are also a problem. So in order for the defender to get his wish, it looks like there will have to be a compromise between the two clubs.
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