Crystal Palace’s negotiations with Real Betis for defender Chadi Riad are progressing well, and the Spanish side have already sourced their replacement for the player as well.
That’s according to ABC Sevilla, who report that Betis are advancing in talks to sign Brazilian centre back Vitao on a free transfer.
They’ve been interested in the centre back since January and are now trying to secure his signature ahead of Internacional de Porto Alegre, where he’s been on loan since April 2022 from Shakhtar Donetsk.
He’s set to be a free agent this summer and Betis are now moving to get him as they plan something of a defensive rebuild.
Vitao will likely arrive as a replacement for Riad, who is being targeted by Crystal Palace and negotiations on that front are progressing well.
Crystal Palace’s interest is believed to be strong, and the two clubs are moving towards an agreement, although there is a difference in asking price at this point.
Palace have offered €12m plus €2m in bonuses but Betis are pushing for a deal closer to €16m all in given as that would help them to recover the €3m they’ll pay to sign him permanently from Barcelona and give them a greater cut once the Catalans take a cut of the transfer too.
Betis have done deals like this with Barcelona in the past, namely with Emerson Royal’s move to Tottenham, so know how to ensure they get a good deal.
That’s why they’re pushing Crystal Palace to offer more but negotiations are underway, progressing and with a replacement nearly sourced too, all indications are the deal will be done.
