Barcelona to release flop Bellerin in January

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are set to release Hector Bellerin on a free transfer in January, just months after returning to the club.

That is according to respected Spanish football journalist Javi Miguel, who claims that Barcelona are set to already cut their losses on the right-back.

Bellerin was a former Barcelona youth team player, who returned to Camp Nou this summer on a free transfer after 11 years away.

Forget Dalot, Barca have a Plan B at right-back

The 27-year-old signed a one-year contract after his deal at Arsenal expired at the end of last season.

However, Bellerin has been nothing short of a disaster so far.

He suffered from a muscle injury in the early part of the season, missing almost a month of action between September and October.

Upon his return, he has been a major disappointment on the pitch. He struggled badly in the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and in the 4-2 win over Viktoria Plzen.

He has also done little to impress Xavi in training, so much so that Barcelona will offer to tear up Bellerin’s contract in January.

Bellerin in decline

The Spaniard’s career has really declined in recent years. He was regarded as one of the most exciting young right-backs in the world during his early days at the Emirates.

However, partly due to a number of injuries, he failed to live up his promise.

He spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Real Betis, and it is believed that Bellerin may look to rejoin them if he is indeed released by Barcelona.

Bellerin has been capped four times by Spain.

As for Barcelona, they are still looking for a natural first-choice right back – with none of their current squad suggesting they can be a long-term option in the role.