Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed reported Liverpool target Aissa Mandi will leave the La Liga outfit when his contract expires in the summer, in quotes reported by El Desmarque.
The transfer window hasn’t even opened but Beticos supporters must already be sick of the speculation.
Guido Rodriguez, Emerson Royal, William Carvalho and Nabil Fekir have all been linked with Premier League clubs since the turn of the year.
Long-serving centre-back Mandi, meanwhile, will become a free agent on 1 July.
In April, Estadio Deportivo reported the 30-year-old Algeria international was dreaming of a move to Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League giants Liverpool.
Since then, Villarreal have emerged as the most likely destination.
Where Mandi ends up is anyone’s guess. What is certain, however, is he won’t be playing in the green and white of Real Betis next term.
“He’s a player whose honesty nobody doubts. He is terminating his contract at the club after five years (but) he is involved to play until the last game,” says former Manchester City and Real Madrid coach Pellegrini, who has no intention of dropping Mandi from his starting XI.
A natural-born leader who has captained Europa League-chasing Betis on a number of occasions this season, Mandi will be a big loss on and off the pitch at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
“He’s the most professional guy I’ve ever met in a dressing room,” adds Borja Iglesias, Betis’s £28 million striker.
“I have no doubt Aissa leaves his skin every day in training and in games to help the team achieve the best possible result.”
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