Barcelona prefer to see defender join Italian giants in January over La Liga rivals

A recent report from Diario SPORT has offered an update on the future of Hector Bellerin. The Barcelona defender has fallen out of favour under Xavi Hernandez after joining the club on the transfer deadline day.

He has failed to make an impression on his return to Camp Nou, thus forcing Xavi to continue relying on options such as Sergi Roberto and even Alejandro Balde in the right-back position. And with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, many expect Bellerin to leave Barcelona in January.

The report from Diario SPORT suggests Barcelona are keeping close a eye on the market, especially around clubs that are interested in Bellerin.

Real Betis have already shown the desire to bring the former Arsenal starlet back to Seville. However, Barcelona want the Spaniard to join AS Roma, another club interested in the services of the right-back.

This is because Roma have intensified the pursuit of a new right-back after coach Jose Mourinho fell out with Rick Karsdorp. They are even willing to pay Bellerin in the upcoming January transfer window, thus giving Barcelona the opportunity to generate a nominal revenue.

Real Betis, in contrast, are expected to pursue Bellerin only at the end of the season, when the defender would become a free agent.

The club from Sevilla simply do not have the resources to pursue Bellerin in the January transfer window. Barça, therefore, are hoping that Roma could make a move for the defender and help them generate a revenue that in turn, could be useful in funding a move for a new right-back of their own.

Indeed, the Catalans are looking for new right-backs in the market, with Arnau Martinez among the players targeted as potential candidates for coach Xavi.