Hector Bellerin eyes permanent Real Betis transfer from Arsenal after cup success

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin is ready to turn his loan spell at Real Betis into a permanent switch this summer.

The right-back penned a season-long loan deal at the Spanish club last year, bringing an end to his decade-long stint in north London. Bellerin joined the Gunners as a youth graduate from Barcelona and had gone on to captain the first team.

An energic full-back who offered both an attacking threat and defensive cover, Bellerin made 239 first-team appearances for Arsenal before deciding that it was time for a new challenge. He is subsequently enjoying a new lease of life at the Seville-based club, who he helped to lift the Copa del Rey on Saturday with a final victory over Valencia.

Bellerin provided the assist for the opening goal of the game, making the overlapping run and crossing for striker Borja Iglesias to open the scoring for Manuel Pellegrini's side. The match ended 1-1 but Betis won the penalty shootout to secure their first trophy in 17 years and spark mass celebrations across the city of Seville, where the showpiece event was held.

Mirror Football understands that Bellerin wants his loan switch from Arsenal to be made permanent to prolong his spell in the capital of Andalusia. The right-back was a boyhood fan of Barcelona having grown up in the Catalan capital, but his father was a dedicated fan of Betis.

Last summer, Bellerin accepted a significant pay cut to join Los Verdiblancos on a loan deal, despite having several more financially lucrative offers on the table. Upon arriving at Betis, the defender said: "Football is not just money, sentiment is very important."

Upon signing for Betis, Bellerin told assembled reporters: "Being able to make my father happy with a dream that is his and