Barcelona defender will leave in the summer barring a drastic turnaround in performances

When Barcelona signed Hector Bellerin in the summer transfer window, there was hope that he could help the club address their right-back problems, at least for the short term.

The 27-year-old was hardly at the top of the list of targets for the Blaugrana. But the fact that he would arrive for free and accept a very low wage compelled the Catalans to re-sign their former academy ace.

But things have not gone according to plans as Bellerin has struggled to make the sort of impact that was expected of him.

And, according to Mundo Deportivo, unless there is a drastic turnaround in his performances between now and the end of the season, Bellerin will likely leave Barcelona in the summer.

It must be remembered that the Spaniard signed only a one-year contract with the Catalans when he arrived in the summer and it was decided that any decision on a further extension would be based on how he does at the club.

Bellerin, who recently revealed that he is earning less than €500,000 per year at Barça, has thus far played just three times in La Liga, starting only one of those matches.

Xavi has not shown much faith in his summer signing, having preferred the likes of Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo ahead of him at right-back. On occasions, the manager has also fielded left-back Alejandro Balde over Bellerin.

That, coupled with the fact that Barcelona are interested in signing a top-level right-back in the summer, makes it very clear that Bellerin is unlikely to remain at Camp Nou beyond the current season, unless he turns his situation around over the coming months.

There had even been speculations of an exit as early as January, but Barça’s inability to sign any new players at this point means that the ex-Arsenal man will stay at the club at least until June. But, it is very much likely that Bellerin will depart as a free agent come summer.