Atletico Madrid are in the race for Hector Bellerin’s signature alongside Real Betis, according to a report from Spain.

SEVILLE, SPAIN: Hector Bellerin of Real Betis looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Betis at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 27, 2022. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN: Hector Bellerin of Real Betis looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Betis at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 27, 2022. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Goal España report that Atletico Madrid have been in contact with Hector Bellerin over a possible summer move, as one of their options for the right-back position.

Bellerin is far from the only player on that shortlist, with Emerson Royal, Pablo Maffeo, Nordi Mukiele, Nahuel Molina, and Jonathan Clauss listed by Goal as well.

Talks have taken place with Bellerin’s representatives, but those talks have cooled in recent days.

Goal claim Bellerin doesn’t want to stay with Arsenal this summer. Ideally, he wants to move to Real Betis.

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Though James Benge of CBS Sports recently reported that Bellerin is considering his summer options and not limiting himself to a Betis return alone.

The right-back isn’t planning to terminate his Arsenal contract, and the Gunners are still hoping to get a fee for his sale.

Fabrizio Romano also previously reported that Bellerin had options outside of simply returning to Betis – where he spent last season on loan. It seems Atletico Madrid are one of these options.

Real Betis' Spanish defender Hector Bellerin runs on the pitch during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Granada FC at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, on May 15, 2022. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Betis’ Spanish defender Hector Bellerin runs on the pitch during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Granada FC at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, on May 15, 2022. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)

Real Betis have started a media offensive to try and bring Bellerin back, with multiple representatives of the club talking the player up.

Speaking to the media a few weeks ago, Betis director Antonio Cordon claimed Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin is “in love” with the Spanish side, though he admitted the defender is currently with his parent club.

“Hector Bellerin? He’s in love with Betis,” Cordon said. “He’s now back at Arsenal and we will see what happens, he knows our situation.”

That followed comments from Betis president Angel Haro, who suggested they want to bring the 27-year-old back.

“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 27-year-old made 32 appearances for Real Betis this season and won the Copa del Rey, assisting the opening goal in the final.

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