Udinese are reportedly interested in signing unwanted Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, who is also heavily linked with several Spanish clubs.
According to the Daily Mail, Hector Bellerin is a target for Udinese, with the Serie A club keen on signing the wantaway Arsenal defender. The right-back has considerable interest coming from Spain, but a resolution regarding his future seems far away.
Hector Bellerin played for Real Betis last season, where he has become a favourite of sorts. The Spanish right-back helped the club win the Copa Del Rey and was a consistent performer in La Liga. After the loan spell ended, the wantaway Arsenal defender reiterated his desire to rejoin the Andalusian club, but a resolution is yet to be found.
Real Betis want the player but have refused to pay Arsenal’s asking price for the right-back, who is into the final year of his deal. The Gunners have been in talks to terminate Bellerin’s contract, although now they may seek a nominal transfer fee in return.
Bellerin has reportedly rejected three offers from clubs in a bid to rejoin Real Betis, but the Spanish club’s financial struggles have made it difficult to sign the wantaway Arsenal defender. He also had interest from other outfits, such as Villarreal and Atletico Madrid for a brief period, although those doors may have closed by now.
Barcelona have been linked recently, with Bellerin willing to take a pay cut to join the Catalan giants. In all, an exit from Arsenal is what the Spaniard wants, as he is not favoured anymore under Mikel Arteta, who has Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu as options at right-back alongside Ben White.
While Bellerin is thought to prefer a move back to Spain in some capacity, there is interest coming from Italy, as Udinese are attempting to sign the right-back. The Serie A outfit are keen on bringing in defensive reinforcements and could look at the 27-year-old to add experience to their backline.
Other Serie A clubs are also interested, but like those of many other suitors, a move may never came to fruition. Udinese may feel there is a chance to sign the Arsenal man if he fails to sign join a Spanish club before the summer transfer window shuts down.
As things stand, Bellerin may prefer a move back to Spain. However, if nothing materialises in the next few days, he may consider taking up the challenge of playing in Serie A, if that is the only option left on the table, which could boost Udinese’s hopes of signing him.