Real Betis have ‘intensified the dialogue’ with Leicester City forward Ayoze Pérez to ‘reach an agreement’ for him to join them this month rather than in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to ABC Sevilla, who say the forward would move to the Spanish club six months early if a ‘series of prerequisites are met’.
The explain that Pérez has been under discussion at Betis for a long time, with them even contacting him and his entourage last summer to set up a move in case certain players departed.
That did not happen but they have maintained an interest and the situation is evolving into one where a move makes sense for them this month.
A deal has been approved by manager Manuel Pellegrini, who sees Pérez as an alternative to current forward Juanmi, who is struggling for fitness after an injury to his ankle.
A move is still dependent on departures but Betis could be about to lose Loren Morón and Diego Lainez and that would open up space for the Leicester City man to arrive.
There is also a need for Pérez to drop his wages so he can fit into the tight economic boundaries at the club but he is ‘seduced’ by the idea of the move and so open to a ‘significant reduction’ in his pay packet.
Leicester are open to letting the Spaniard leave on a free as they want to ‘respect the player’s decision’ to depart and it seems they will not chase a fee if he is to go this month rather than in the summer.
Betis hope that remains the case as they now eye up a deal to give Pérez the return to Spain he wants and Pellegrini a player who can make an ‘immediate contribution’ to the team.
