Real Betis are still hoping to sign Hector Bellerin on a permanent deal, but club president Angel Haro has confirmed they don’t have a contract option to do so.

Last weekend, an emotional Hector Bellerin was brought to tears as he waved goodbye to the Real Betis fans in their final home game. After 32 appearances and a Copa del Rey trophy, his loan spell with the club has now come to an end.

Betis president Angel Haro has suggested the club want to bring the 27-year-old back, but his move to Spain was a simple loan with no option to buy.

“Hector is a fantastic player and a very good person,” Haro said. “It was a loan that we had from Arsenal, now he returns to Arsenal and from then on, we’ll see.

“It is true that he has been very caught up in everything about Betis because, in addition, his parents are Betis fans. Hopefully, we cross paths again.”

Bellerin’s loan teammates have been joking that they’ll need to open a crowdfunding page to sign the Arsenal player this summer.

The defender was a popular member of their squad, and it does seem like the only reason for the move not to go through would be the financial side of it.

Speaking to his YouTube channel, Goal’s Charles Watts recently reported that people close to Hector Bellerin have given him the impression he won’t be returning to Arsenal.

As things stand, all parties are working towards his exit.

Real Betis are Bellerin’s primary destination on a permanent deal, and they want to keep him. But Watts believes Arsenal won’t get the £15m sometimes quoted for the defender, with €5-10m a more likely fee.

Betis have made it clear to Bellerin that they want him to stay permanently, and they believe they can afford him at that price. Though he would need to take a pay cut.

The Mirror reported last month that Bellerin wants his loan switch to Real Betis to be made permanent, and he’d be willing to accept that drop in wages to make it happen.