Hector Bellerin WILL return to Arsenal but Real Betis hint at permanent transfer for defender after loan spell

HECTOR BELLERIN will return to Arsenal this summer with Real Betis president Angel Haro hopeful a permanent deal can be reached.

The right-back, 27, has starred during his loan spell at his boyhood club this season where he has helped the club win the Copa del Rey.

He has also been a key player in the Seville outfit reaching fifth spot in LaLiga heading into the final matchweek of the season.

The Spain international has appeared in 32 games in all competitions for Betis - chipping in with five assists.

Bellerin was reduced to tears after the club's final home game of the campaign where he was consoled by team-mates.

And he will now heading back to the Emirates in the summer to see out the final year of his contract.

Betis president Haro has admitted he will be sad to see the defender leave, but hopes the pair's paths will cross again in the future.

Refusing to rule out turning his temporary stay into a permanent switch, he told reporters: "Hector is a fantastic player and a very good person.

"It was a loan that we had from Arsenal, now he returns to Arsenal and from then on, we'll see.

"It is true that he has been very caught up in everything about Betis because, in addition, his parents are Betis fans.

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"Hopefully we cross paths again."

It remains to be seen whether Bellerin will remain in North London beyond the upcoming transfer window.

Mikel Arteta has Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares to count on at right-back.

And he has reportedly identified Udinese's Nahuel Molina as a possible target.

With Bellerin set to become a free agent next summer, Arsenal could decide to offload the player on the cheap to avoid losing him for nothing.