Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa was given a hero’s send-off at Santiago Bernabeu before his contract with La Liga giants expired at the end of last season.

After more than 250 appearances for Real Madrid since his Liverpool move in 2009, a free agent Arbeloa weighed up offers from clubs all over Europe before ultimately deciding to sign for the Premier League outfit West Ham on the transfer deadline day.

His move to London has turned sour though with the experienced 33-year-old Spaniard failing to make any impression with the Hammers, having made only two starts for Slaven Bilic’s side in the 2016-17 season.

Having brought in to act as cover, Alvaro Arbeloa displayed a worrying lack of pace every time when given a taste of English game with Slaven Bilic ultimately ending up completely losing trust in the versatile defender.

With Arbeloa currently looking towards the exit door of the London Stadium, reports from Spanish media outlet Diario La Granda are claiming that La Liga side Espanyol are willing to present Spanish defender with an escape plan.

Espanyol are believed to be mooting a loan deal in which the Hammers would cover the majority of Arbeloa’s wages. West Ham are reportedly willing to take part in the swoop in a bid to offload the Spanish international and ship him back to La Liga.

Arbeloa is contracted to West Ham until the end of the season and with his deal expiring in the summer of 2017 it is believed that West Ham are more than willing to cut his stay in London short.

West Ham are underachieving in the Premier League season so far, sitting in 17^th place with just 11 points to their name after 12 rounds and Slaven Bilic has no time to wait on Arbeloa to discover his form and come good for the Premier League club.

The Hammers are due to travel to Old Trafford next week as Bilic prepares to face Jose Mourinho’s team in a delicate moment for both sides.

London-based club are given huge 7.50 (13/2) @Bet365 to beat the Red Devils and record what would surely be much surprising three points given their current run of form.