Real Betis are again having something of an intriguing summer, as key players continue to depart, but good signings also arrive. The top of their list of priorities appears to be a central defender.
As reported by Relevo, Brazilian centre-back Vitao is one of their top options, and Internacional are requesting €8m for their 24-year-old defender. An agreement is believed to be close, but Betis are looking to negotiate a fee with bonuses rather than a straight amount.
El Betis ACELERA por Natan del Nápoles y coge ventaja al resto de competidores que trataban de convencer al jugador.
Los últimos contactos entre las partes han sido muy positivos y el jugador priorizaría al club verdiblanco.
La fórmula es una cesión con opción de compra,… pic.twitter.com/yJ6bJgz3V6
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) August 12, 2024
On the other hand, Betis have also stepped up their pursuit of Napoli central defender Natan as well. Matteo Moretto reports that their other Brazilian target is prioritising a move to Betis over his other suitors, and that talks have been positive. Betis are negotiating a loan with an option to buy, or an obligation to buy for the 23-year-old.
El Villarreal va a oficializar a Ayoze Pérez en los próximos días.
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) August 12, 2024
At the other end of the pitch, they may have to rethink matters though, with Ayoze Perez set to join Villarreal this week. The Euro 2024-winner has a €4m release clause, and on Monday Betis President Angel Haro admitted that they were unable to match the Yellow Submarine’s contract offer for the 31-year-old. Betis will look for a forward after the deal for a defender is sealed.
Currently Manuel Pellegrini only has Marc Bartra and Diego Llorente as options at centre-back, so he would no doubt be keen to have both of the Brazilians through the door, after losing starting pairing German Pezzella and Luiz Felipe in the space of 12 months. Meanwhile up front Chimy Avila and Cedric Bakambu are their only natural number nines, although the former much prefers to play with another forward too.
