What seemed like a done deal for Real Betis has taken a dramatic turn, as city rivals Sevilla have made a bold move to hijack the transfer of a player long considered a top priority for Manuel Pellegrini.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the player—whose name remains undisclosed due to ongoing talks—was reportedly on the verge of completing a move to Betis. Pellegrini had identified him as a key addition for the new season, with personal terms said to have been agreed and only final details remaining. However, the situation has changed rapidly in the past 48 hours.
Sevilla’s head coach, Matías Almeyda, currently on vacation, has taken the extraordinary step of cutting his holiday short in order to meet the player face-to-face. That meeting reportedly took place earlier this week, with Almeyda presenting a convincing case for the player to join his project at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán instead.
The player’s representatives are now said to be reassessing their options amid growing interest from Sevilla, who are prepared to match, if not improve, the terms offered by Betis.
This unexpected twist has caused frustration within the Betis camp, who had believed the deal was all but sealed. Pellegrini, who is preparing for a crucial summer rebuild, now faces the real possibility of losing one of his key targets to their fiercest rivals.
With both clubs keen to finalize their squads ahead of preseason, the coming days could prove decisive. If Almeyda’s intervention proves successful, it will not only mark a major win for Sevilla in the transfer market—but also a bitter blow for Betis.
More updates to follow as the situation develops.
