Barcelona enter race to sign wantaway Arsenal star

Barcelona have joined Real Betis in the hunt to sign Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin on a free transfer this summer.

The Spaniard has been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Mikel Arteta, and it seems a matter of time before he leaves.

With under a year left on his contract, the Gunners are willing to offload him for a nominal fee, but there are no interested clubs as of now.

Hence, a contract termination could be a genuine possibility, and The Sun report that Betis and Barcelona are both keen on landing him.

Betis loaned Bellerin during the previous campaign, and he was a key player for them, bagging five assists from 32 games in all competitions.

Bellerin has vowed to return to the Seville outfit this summer, but Barcelona could yet lure him to the Camp Nou with a more lucrative deal.

The Catalan giants have tried to sign their former graduate in the past, and are now interested after failing to land Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta.