At the end of the last week, Brighton loanee Billy Arce was arrested in his home country of Ecuador. The 21-year-old was caught for drink driving, and taken to prison for 20 days.
His time in prison has obviously become a concern for his club Barcelona SC, who are now wondering if it’s worth keeping him in the squad.
Arce is loaned to the Guayaquil side until the summer of 2020, so there’s quite some time left on the deal.
But when interviewed by the local media this week, club president José Francisco Cevallos revealed they can send the player back to Brighton whenever they want.
The official has claimed that they knew about Arce’s behavioural issues, and that’s why they are protected with such an option in the contract.
“I went to visit Billy Arce in prison, it’s a shame, he was wrong again. Today in the afternoon a decision will be made in the board of directors, because we are armoured with a special contract,” he told CRE Satelital (via El Universo).
“We have spoken with his representative and the English club are aware of the case.
“Obviously, at the beginning that was foreseen, we will analyse the most convenient thing. The criteria of Leo Ramos, the manager, is also crucial. And with that input we can make the best decision, since we are contractually backed.” (via Info Cancha)
Brighton signed Billy Arce from Independiente Del Valle on a €860k deal in the summer of 2018, but haven’t used him. They first loaned him to Spanish side Extremadura, and then sent him to his home country, where he first played for Emelec, and now Barcelona.
