Estadio Deportivo report on Tuesday evening that Real Betis remain keen on signing Lucas Perez from West Ham United.
The former Arsenal player has done his usual trick of signing a big contract and then quickly fancying a return to Spanish football. Whilst it’s explained he’d be prepared to take a pay cut to join the Seville club, who he’s in contact with daily, Perez would expect this to be offset by being offered a longer contract.
Betis had originally wanted a loan with an option for a permanent deal falling on their side, whereas the Hammers demanded any temporary deal came with a compulsory summer full transfer.
This is something Betis are described as edging towards, with West Ham wanting up to €4.5m, but allowing this to be paid over the duration of the player’s contract and accepting just €1m as the initial payment.
Those are Estadio’s claims on Betis, and they then move on to other interest.
It’s claimed Barcelona are keen, as they look for a back-up striker, and held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter. However, Perez himself would knock it back, according to the report, because he doesn’t want to be a long forgotten squad player.
Atletico Madrid are also interested, but Alvaro Morata is their priority.
Valencia are the third Spanish club presented as keen, and Perez is one of two options they have.
The West Ham player’s agent has certainly been busy.
