It looks like Betis have dashed into the Carles Gil chase, knocked Deportivo La Coruna aside, and are about to tie up a deal, at least according to their local press.
Estadio Deportivo report that Gil, owned by Aston Villa, is ‘very excited’ at the prospect of becoming a Betis player. The 24 year old spent last season on loan at Depor and a meaningful future under Steve Bruce at Aston Villa was unlikely.
Depor were very keen to sign Gil back from Aston Villa, on loan again, but they hadn’t bargained for Betis.
The Seville club have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with Gil, and are now waiting for Aston Villa to ‘lower their demands’.
Estadio Deportivo say that because Valencia will receive 10% of any transfer fee, Aston Villa want more than the initial €4.5m they paid Valencia (with a further €2m possible in bonus payments), so as not to lose any money. Betis are working to bring this amount down, and Estadio Deportivo say everyone involved in the transfer believes it will come to fruition soon.
Aston Villa will likely lower their demands, and still end up with more than Deportivo La Coruna would have dreamed of paying.
