Bellerin deal to Betis falls through

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin will not be returning to Real Betis for the coming season, after Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed to the media that the club's business for the summer has been completed. Betis have been busy in the transfer market so far, but have been unable to persuade Arsenal to release Bellerin on a free transfer.

It is understood the Spanish right back, who helped Betis to the Copa Del Rey last year, was desperate to move to Betis but a deal fell through as the club were unable to agree a free transfer arrangement with Arsenal. Several other teams are now interested in Bellerin, including Barcelona, and a deal is likely to be wrapped up in the coming weeks.

Pellegrini told reporters: “There is no expectation of further reinforcements. We would have liked to analyse it from a different point of view, but there is an economic situation that means we cannot do so. The objective is to keep the squad as strong as possible following the exits of Joel, [Cristian] Tello and now [Marc] Bartra.”

“It allows us to replace them just like last year. The sporting criteria, the work of Antonio [Cordon, Sporting Director] and the arrival of important players for free has allowed us to maintain our footballing strength.”