Barcelona are reportedly ready to sell Hector Bellerin in January if they can find a buyer, meaning they will make more money from another player they got from Arsenal for free while under contract.

When Barcelona signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal on a free transfer, Xavi called it a ‘gift fallen from the sky’. A gift, it turns out, that was worth 13 goals in 24 games and a little over £10m when they sold him to Chelsea just six months later.

Barcelona also picked up Hector Bellerin for nothing in the summer.

However, unlike the Aubameyang situation, Arsenal did not cancel Bellerin’s contract. They ‘sold’ him to the Spaniards for nothing, but included a sell-on clause.

Although the clause was billed as ‘Arsenal learning from Aubameyang’, in reality it seemed pointless as Bellerin only signed a one-year deal.

The idea was that when his 12-month contract with Barcelona was up, Real Betis would have sorted their finances out and would be able to afford to pay Bellerin’s wages so they could sign him for free.

Betis, however, now want to spend all their money on Dani Ceballos (true story) and are even prepared to sell some key players to make that happen.

As for Bellerin?

Well, he was recently talking about how he would like to extend his deal with Barcelona, but that seems unlikely to happen. Especially not if they are trying to sell him already due to his injury issues and underwhelming performances in the five games he’s featured in.

Roma had been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, but it seems they have recently changed their mind.

That means Barcelona need to find another buyer if they are to bring in a new right-back as planned.