Transfer Centre

Barcelona 'want to renew Hector Bellerin deal in January'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 25 September 2022

Barcelona reportedly want to agree a new contract with Hector Bellerin in January, as he is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Barcelona are reportedly keen to agree a new contract with full-back Hector Bellerin in the January transfer window.

The Spain international returned to Catalonia after an 11-year spell with Arsenal in the summer after falling down the pecking order in Mikel Arteta's squad.

Bellerin and Arsenal mutually agreed to part ways on a free transfer, with the former arriving at Camp Nou to replace AC Milan-bound Sergino Dest for the 2022-23 season.

Bellerin is only under contract with Xavi's side until the end of the current campaign, and he has played 121 minutes of football for the Catalan club since returning.

The right-back played the full 90 in a 4-0 La Liga win over Cadiz on September 10, and he was brought off the bench for a 3-0 win over Elche one week later.

Hector Bellerin in action for Arsenal on July 20, 2022 © Reuters

Despite his lack of action so far, Fichajes claims that Bellerin will be in line for a new Barcelona contract in January after only signing one-year terms in the summer.

Should Bellerin fail to agree fresh terms by January, the defender would be able to start pre-contract negotiations with other clubs before becoming a free agent in 2023.

However, the report adds that Barca boss Xavi has been left very satisfied with Bellerin's contributions so far and would give the green light to a longer contract for the Spaniard.

Bellerin was allowed to join Real Betis on loan for the 2021-22 season after Arsenal completed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu, and he became an integral player for the Verdiblancos.

Manuel Pellegrini's side won the Copa del Rey with Bellerin in the team, and he made no secret of his desire to return to Betis on a permanent deal.

Hector Bellerin in action for Real Betis in February 2022 © Reuters

A lack of financial firepower ultimately forced Betis to abandon their pursuit of Bellerin, as Barcelona swooped in to agree a free transfer with Arsenal.

However, Bellerin is still said to be pining for a future return to Betis, with the report going as far to say that the ex-Arsenal man is "crazy" about returning to the Verdiblancos.

Bellerin supposedly only signed a one-year Barcelona deal to give himself the best chance of returning to Betis, and La Blaugrana are therefore facing an uphill battle to convince him to renew.

Bellerin previously contributed nine goals and 29 assists in 239 appearances for Arsenal after leaving Barcelona as a teenager, winning three FA Cups in the process.

Barcelona will endeavour to go top of the La Liga table for at least 24 hours when they travel to Mallorca for their first game back after the international break on October 1.