Betis reach agreement for Real Madrid’s Isco

Betis and Isco Alarcón have an agreement in place which will see him join the recently-crowned Copa del Rey winners should they qualify for next season’s Champions League or manage to sell one of their star players in the next transfer window. The Verdiblancos have offered Isco a two-year deal with the option of a third, plus a salary of 10 million euros gross, in an operation that will exceed 20 million euros. That figure will include a signing-on fee - Isco will be the highest earner in the club’s history.

First Betis must offload at least one player. Apart from midfielder Guido Rodríguez, who has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, the easiest way of boosting sale would be by selling Nabil Fekir although he recently renewed until 2026. For the time being, none of the offers which have come in for the French forward have been near Betis’ expectations. Last year, they had hoped to raise 40 million euros by selling Fekir on but an offer never materialised.

The amount which Betis would fork out in honouring the remaining four years of Fekir’s contract is similar to what it would cost them to bring Isco in - and both play in the same position. Pellegrini has always preferred team players rather than individuals and Isco fits the bill. Just a few days ago, in an interview with El Larguero, the Chilean coach complained that Fekir has a tendency to spend too long on the ball instead of passing it to his team mates.

Veterans set to continue

Once the deal is confirmed, Isco will become the third new addition to the Betis squad for 2022-23. The club has already completed two signings - Brazilians Luiz Felipe and Luiz Henrique. The former, a 25-year-old centre-back, will join on a free transfer from Lazio while the latter is a left winger who Betis have agreed a 13 million fee for with Fluminense. Claudio Bravo, Andrés Guardado and Joaquín will all be out of contract in June but are expected to continue in Pellegrini’s squad next season.