Bellerin set for Roma as agent fires back over Mourinho claims

Cameron Smith

• 11 Nov 2022 10:51 GMT
• 3 min read

Hector Bellerin could be set to leave Barcelona just months after joining the club, with AS Roma interested in bringing him to the Italian capital.

Bellerin, 27, has played just five times in all competitions for the Blaugrana since arriving on a free transfer from Arsenal and could be about to end his stay at Camp Nou already.

That is because Jose Mourinho sees him as a potential replacement for Rick Karsdorp at Roma.

READ: Mourinho tells Roma player who 'betrayed team-mates': Get out!

The Dutch full-back has been the preferred option for Roma this campaign, but the player's relationship with Mourinho has now hit an all-time low and he's set to lose his place in the side.

In Roma's 1-1 draw with Sassuolo, Karsdorp was brought on as a late substitute and was deemed at fault for Andrea Pinamonti's equaliser after not tracking the run of Armand Lauriente.

After the game Mourinho stated: "I am sorry that the efforts of the team were betrayed by the attitude of one unprofessional player.

"You didn’t see me talking that way about Roger Ibanez against Lazio, because errors are part of the game, his attitude was never a problem.

"An unprofessional attitude that is not fair to his teammates, that is what disappoints me. I had 16 players on the field tonight and I liked the attitude of 15 of them.

"I told the other that he had this attitude today only and not always. Now we want to close this period of the season with three points. In January, he needs to find himself another club."

READ: Barcelona to release flop Bellerin in January

Karsdorp was not name-dropped by Mourinho, but it's been widely reported that he is the player in question, while the Dutchman's agent has told NOS: "I am surprised by Mourinho's statements, I want an explanation. We are also amazed that the whole world bets on Rick, without Mourinho or Roma mentioning his name. We want an explanation from the club about the coach's words, and how he made them."

Bellerin to replace Karsdorp?

Mundo Deportivo have reported that Bellerin is one of the names Roma are considering as a potential replacement for Karsdorp, whose Roma career appears over.

Bellerin only signed a one-year contract at Barcelona, meaning he will be available on a free transfer next summer. As a result, Xavi's side may be persuaded into selling him for a cut-price fee in January if Roma are seriously interested in adding him during the winter transfer window.