Barcelona misfit considering January exit amid interest from La Liga rivals

Real Betis’ search for a new full-back has intensified lately following Alex Moreno’s imminent move to Aston Villa. The club have already kickstarted their search for a replacement, with Barcelona misfit Hector Bellerin emerging as one of the top candidates.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Bellerin himself is aware of the interest of Real Betis. The former Arsenal starlet played for Los Beticos on loan last season and is now considering a return to Estadio Benito Villamarin in January.

Real Betis are willing to sign him as part of their plans to replace Moreno. Although the Spaniard is primarily a right-back, the club are willing to make an adjustment by shifting Youssouf Sabaly to the left-back position, with Bellerin operating in his usual right-back slot.

However, Barcelona may have an objection to this entire operation. This is primarily because Real Betis are not in a position to pay for Bellerin’s acquisition in this January transfer window, and given that the defender’s contract expires at the end of the season, there is not much scope for future remuneration.

Not to mention, Bellerin is currently on a low salary package at Camp Nou, which means his potential departure will not alter Barcelona’s inflated wage budget that has breached the Financial Fair Play regulations, thereby crippling the club’s powers in the market.

Moreover, Xavi Hernandez is determined not to make too many changes in the current squad, as he believes the club are set for a difficult period in this second half of the campaign.

As such, the Blaugrana are not too keen on letting Bellerin leave amidst Betis’ interest and it will not come as a surprise to see the Spaniard remaining at Camp Nou until the end of the season.