In an update I found rather surprising, Hector Bellerin is targeting a contract renewal with Barcelona when he was expected to return to Real Betis in the summer.

Hector Bellerin spent last season on loan with his father’s boyhood club Real Betis and had a brilliant time. He loved it so much, he wanted to return permanently this summer.

That was not possible as the Spaniards could not afford his wages, so a deal was agreed where Arsenal would cancel his contract, he’d head off to Barcelona for a year and then at the end of that 12-month contract, Real Betis would have their wage situation sorted out and he could rejoin them.

Now, however, Bellerin, who is still only 27 and valued at around £20m, would like to renew his contract with Barcelona instead.

“I want to renew with Barca,” Bellerin told Catalunya Radio.

“It was very nice to return home. At the moment I have signed a one-year contract and we are waiting to see how everything goes for both parties.

“Renewing is something that does not depend on me, but I am very happy at Barca.

“I’m very happy to be here and to be able to enjoy playing for Barca because it’s a dream I’ve always had.

“When you reach the last day of the transfer window and you haven’t done the pre-season it’s always harder to get in, there are few minutes of filming, but I’m happy with the way everything is developing on a footballing and personal level.”

Bellerin, of course, came through the youth system at Barcelona so it was always his dream to play for them. It is, then, perhaps understandable that after living his father’s dream for a year, getting to live his own feels even better.

What will happen in the summer will likely not be clear until it is here. Betis still want Bellerin but they also want Dani Ceballos, as well.

His Real Madrid adventure will come to an end next summer.