Hector Bellerin swaps Arsenal for Barcelona

Spanish defender Hector Bellerin will depart Arsenal today, signing for his former club Barcelona on a free transfer. The Gunners have agreed to let the long serving full-back rejoin his boyhood club, and a clause has been inserted into the deal meaning that 50 percent of the player's next transfer fee will be guaranteed to Arsenal.

Arsenal representatives have moved quickly to ensure the same situation that happened with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not happen with Bellerin, and demanded a sell on clause be included in Bellerin's deal.

As Barcelona look set to sell Sergino Dest to AC Milan on loan, the club have moved immediately to replace Dest with Bellerin. Bellerin has 239 games for Arsenal since his arrival in 2011, but last season spent some time on loan at Real Betis.

Arsenal were looking for a 8 million euro fee from Betis, but having reached the end of the window without any potential suitor for the defender, the Gunners have decided to let the player leave on a free transfer. The deal calls time on Bellerin's long spell at the Emirates Stadium.