Arsenal could be set for an eighth summer departure of the summer as Udinese have declared an interest in right-back Hector Bellerin, according to Italian media.
The Gunners have been cleaning house this summer, with Pablo Mari, Nuno Tavares and Folarin Balogun and Runar Alex Runarsson all departing on loan, while Lucas Torreira and Bernd Leno have been sold. Alexandre Lacazette has also left the club after his contract expired at the beginning of July.
There is more to come too: Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland Niles are both deemed surplus to requirements, while Nicolas Pepe and Reiss Nelson could also leave if Arsenal can bring in another winger.
It was widely assumed that Bellerin would leave for free to join boyhood club Real Betis, where he spent last season on loan. Now, however, Italian side Udinese have entered the race.
But, as per Gianluca Di Marzio, “it is not a simple negotiation for Udinese, because there is competition to get to the full-back”.
“However”, he continued “the bianconeri try and want to try to give Sottil a player with great experience not only for having played for years at a top club like Arsenal but also internationally.”
They have already sold left-back Destiny Udogie to Tottenham this summer, though he will remain in the north of Italy on loan for another season. However, the combined £25m could allow them to offer a fee for Bellerin, something that Betis have so far refused to do.
Whether Bellerin will be able to give up the chance to join the Spanish side in favour of a move to Italy is another matter, however, with the Spaniard seemingly set on a return to Betis despite other interest.
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