Santiago Baños: “Real Betis want to get rid of Diego Lainez”
The Club América manager says that his lack of activity in European football caused him to miss the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Santiago Baños is the latest one in the world of football to talk openly about the career of Diego Lainez.
In an interview for Fox Sports, the Club América manager reiterated that Lainez’s agent filled his head with ideas before moving to Europe.
“Betis want to get rid of Lainez; they are asking for a salary of $2 million a year. We wanted to negotiate for the percentage we have left of Guido Rodríguez,” said Baños.
“What happens is that there is a big problem: the representatives are sometimes helpful and sometimes not. At the time they made a decision and I think it was hasty to go to Spain. It’s everyone’s decision. The players suddenly pay attention to the agents.”
Misses Qatar 2022
Baños also pointed out that the lack of activity in Europe led to Gerardo Martino leaving the Betis player out of Mexico’s World Cup squad.
“I think that a lot of time that direct way of talking to them is difficult for them because of the fear that they will be left out for someone else. They decided to stay in Europe. For me, it was a tremendous mistake because Tata would have had him here to see him every weekend. I think it was a mistake. That’s their decision and we have to take responsibility for the actions we commit. He missed out on a World Cup at his age,” he added.
It is worth noting that Betis could ask for around €7 million for the Mexican. Braga have no intention of buying him and could send him back early (he was on loan until June 2023). Tigres are also keeping an eye on the situation of the player.