Real Betis are interested in signing Fabian Balbuena on a free transfer from Premier League outfit West Ham United, the La Liga club’s director Angel Haro told AS.
The Paraguayan international certainly played his part as David Moyes’ side went from relegation dodgers to European participants in the space of 12 months, putting together a fine run of performances in the autumn.
But with his £40k-a-week contract expiring, it seems a summer departure is inevitable.
Balbuena, who fell behind Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop in the pecking order after suffering an untimely injury, will be a free agent on July 1.
The 29-year-old’s agent has already confirmed that an extension will not be signed too, with Real Betis offering a Spanish-speaking centre-back the chance to continue his career in Andalusia.
“He is a player that we are following, he is interesting,” Haro admitted when asked whether Balbuena could be on his way to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
“But he is just one on the list of centre-halves (we are looking for). He is one option.”
Balbuena played under Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham and, with the veteran Chilean now sitting in the Betis dugout, a reunion appears to be on the cards.
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