Real Madrid and Barcelona keeping tabs on Betis' Fabián
LaLiga's big two clubs have been monitoring the situation with the young Real Betis midfielder for a few months and could look to pay the release clause.
The most recent exhibition of the skills of Fabián Ruiz Peña were witnessed in the Wanda Metropolitan on Real Betis's visit to play Atlético Madrid. This just confirmed what many have been watching each week for several months now and has Real Madrid and FC Barcelona monitoring the player's status with keen interest.
Fabián courting 'elite' interest
As the 22-year old has shown his rapid development, so too have the big hitters of LaLiga kept their eye close to his potential to join them. And this summer's transfer window could see them swoop. It is not only Madrid and Barça that have their sights set on Fabián, however. Several clubs around Europe have been watching the midfielder, a mainstay in the Betis side (currently 5th in LaLiga) since September, aside from a slight absence due to injury, and who was also called up for the Spanish Under-21 team.
Betis, seeing the interest rocket, reacted, and offered the youngster an improved contract. Their idea to include a 30 million euro release clause may have seem like a protective measure at the time, although that is relative pocket change to the big clubs these days.
Setién repeats Ceballos advice
Betis manager, Quique Setién, spoke about Fabián's future in his last press conference, following the 0-0 result against Atlético:
"I told him the same as [Dani] Ceballos. I think he should stay."
Dani Ceballos has so far been given very few opportunities in the Real Madrid first team since his move.