Barcelona have no plans to extend the contract of former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin this summer, according to reports, with the defender free to leave at the end of the season as it stands.
At present, Bellerin, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer, is out of contract next summer having only penned a one-year deal with the Catalan giants. So far, he has been something of a bit part player for Xavi’s side, appearing just three times in La Liga and grabbing a further pair of outings in the Champions League as he works his way back from a muscle injury.
Bellerin himself is keen to stay in Catalonia beyond the summer, as he recently revealed.
“I want to sign a new deal as I want to stay here at Barça, I’m really happy”, the 27-year-old explained.
“Projects take time, it’s normal in football. We trust Xavi, 100%”, he added.
However, as per Spanish outlet Relevo, that desire is not reciprocated. As of today, they report “the intention of the Blaugrana sports area is not to renew his contract.”
Azpilicueta to stay
One man who seemingly won’t be joining to replace Bellerin, however, is Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta. The veteran full-back was strongly linked with a move to the Camp Nou over the summer along with then-teammate Marcos Alonso, who did make the switch.
“At Chelsea, if I had played less than 30 games and then I was already a free agent. It had never happened to me in my life. The new owners arrived and they showed me the desire to stay for me”, the Blues captain began.
“London is my home and my children speak better English than Spanish”, he added. “When I made the decision, I think Xavi understood it. If things are clear, they are understood.”
