Report: Unai Emery has now made direct contact with Arsenal to sign their ‘exceptional’ player
La Liga duo Villarreal and Atletico Madrid want to sign right-back Hector Bellerin from Arsenal after his loan with Real Betis.
Bellerin spent last season with Betis, and Spanish outlet El Desmarque have claimed that they remain his first choice destination as he wishes to leave Arsenal this summer.
But they also say that Villarreal, managed by former Gunners manager Unai Emery, have also made an attempt to sign Bellerin.
The report says that does not interest Bellerin, but he would consider a move to Atletico if they can make the deal work financially.
Villarreal and Atletico want Bellerin
Bellerin would be facing a salary cut to join Betis, but it seems that Atletico could make him a more rewarding offer financially.
They can of course offer Champions League football too, while Villarreal will be competing in next season’s UEFA Conference League.
The report says that Atletico have started direct contact with Arsenal over the move for Bellerin, after having spoken to his agent.
Negotiations are now underway, but they are said to be at an early stage and it remains to be seen where Bellerin will end up.
Juventus have been linked with Bellerin, as one of four Serie A sides apparently keen on signing the Spanish right-back this summer.
Mikel Arteta has called Bellerin ‘exceptional‘, and clearly retains huge respect for him as a person and a player, but respects his wishes in terms of moving on.
He does not seem to be short on offers and there also looks to be an agreement on all sides that he will leave; it is just a case of choosing where he wants to go
