LIGA MX
Real Betis midfielder Andrés Guardado closing on return to Mexico with Liga MX’s Club León
The midfielder is considering the option of leaving in this winter market given Club León’s desire to have him in their ranks. Betis would negotiate his goodbye to reduce his salary bill.
Andrés Guardado could be set to return to Mexico ago after a 17-year spell in Europe. The Real Betis midfielder is wanted by Liga MX side Club León and there is a strong possibility he could leave Spain and return to his homeland in the January transfer window.
Guardado looking for game time after change in Betis role
At 37, Guardado still has a role to play for the LaLiga club but is no longer a regular starter for Manuel Pellegrini. As per a number of Mexican media outlets, the former Atlas man would be willing to move back across the Atlantic if it meant more game time. Betis, meanwhile, are prepared to let him leave as they look to make some space on their wage bill. The veteran’s current contract in Seville expires in the summer after he agreed a one-year extension at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Although there is still some negotiating to be done, the chances of Guardado lining up for Los Panzas Verdes in the Clausura 2024 tournament appear to be very realistic. Mexican journalist Paco Vela claims the midfielder will end his career back home having been identified as a statement signing by León president Jesús Martínez Murguia. With Betis needing to get some players off the books to free up finances, the two clubs will have little difficulty in finalising an agreement, with the player expected to follow suit.
USMNT midfielder Carodoso arrives at Betis
With Guido Rodríguez suffering a long-term injury and William Carvahlo also dealing with fitness issues, the Spanish side have been short of numbers in midfield of late. In addition, Guardado barely featured between the end of October and Christmas after a difference of opinion with head coach Pellegrini. The pair have since patched things up and the Mexican even captained the team and played the full 90 minutes in the last LaLiga game at home to Granada, but the recent arrival of USMNT international Johnny Cardoso from Brazilian club Internacional also facilitates his departure.
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