Peña Bética : Transfer Rumours and Speculation
Ben Hardman brings you up-to speed with all the transfer news and gossip from Real Betis, talking on Benat's future and links with Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega.
Will he stay or will he go?
Man of the moment Beñat Extebarría seems have been linked to every top club in Spain since his display against Sevilla and then his fantastic performances for Spain after his May call-up. He starred in the two la roja victories against Serbia and South Korea, playing key parts in both.
He is under contract at Real Betis until 2014 but his future remains in limbo. The 25-year old is one of the lowest paid players at the club, having only been in the first team for the last two years. He has stated in recent weeks his desire to stay at Betis but the two parties have not yet reached an agreement. However, according to a leading Betis website Beñat is getting closer to renewing his contract.
Beñat has been linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and a couple of European teams in the past month. Many have noted that if he does get a transfer to one of these bigger clubs then he will increase his chances of getting picked for the national team. Will he?
Although these clubs are playing in Europe I doubt that will he be starting every game week in week out like he would be for Betis? Therefore it might be in his interest to stay at Betis where the club have big plans for growth. If he does leave it will be only for one club; his home club Athletic Bilbao. He said last week on Radio Euskadi, 'I would love to return to Athletic, but now I am only thinking of Betis.'
If a club really wants him they will have to pay big money; he has a €20 million release clause in his contract.
Ruben Castro has extended his contract at the club to the delight of both the club and himself. The 30-year old has renewed until 2015 meaning it is likely that he will see out the remainder of his career at Betis. Extraordinarily the Canary Islander has never been at the same club for more than two years so naturally he is very happy to have settled down in Seville.
On Radio Betis, Castro proclaimed that negotiations have been very easy on both sides and that he is very happy to continue at the club for three more years. He also confirmed that there were offers from other clubs but that his first option was always Betis.
Will last year's loanees be staying?
It is becoming more and more unlikely that Roque Santa Cruz will be a verdiblanco next season. He did not have the best of seasons and it is clear that his mobility is an issue. This means Betis are on red alert for a new striker. A lot of names are being bandied about including Javi Álamo of Recreativo de Huelva. Álamo is a young, strapping forward who played the full season at Recreativo scoring six goals in the process.
Could Hugo arrive?
An interest link has emerged with Hugo Rodallega of Wigan Athletic. Rodallega has been out-of-contract since the end of May but is not in a rush to confirm a new club, of which there will not be a shortage vying for his signature.
The 26-year old Colombian has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers in the past so it is most probable that will be staying in the Premier League, but if he does fancy a move abroad Betis could be a viable move. He only scored twice last season in an injury ravaged season but he has a raw talent and I believe he would do well in La Primera.
Mohamed Diame, also of Wigan and also out-of-contract, has been linked with a move to Andalucia but it seems likely that he will be staying in England where there is more money on offer.
The futures of the other loan signings of last season still remain in the balance. It looks like Brazilian centre-back revelation Paulao will be at Heliopolis next season but nothing concrete has been confirmed. There has not been much news about wide-man Jefferson Montero who is technically a La Segunda player now with Villarreal.
Most players seem to be enjoying their holidays first before entering detailed talks about their future and who can blame them.
In other news there has not been a shortage of player links to Betis. In the past week Borja García from Cordoba, Javi Guerra of Real Valladolid and Xavi Torres of Levante have all been cited as possible transfer targets.