Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini insists that Alex Moreno is ‘very happy’ at the La Liga club after Premier League outfit Aston Villa submitted a £10 million offer, speaking to Mundo Deportivo.
For Villa’s sake, let’s just hope Alex Moreno gave the FA Cup third round a wide berth this weekend. Sunday’s remarkable 2-1 home defeat to fourth-tier Stevenage was hardly the sort of performance – or result for that matter – that will encourage one of La Liga’s finest full-backs to walk away from a Real Betis side chasing Champions League qualification.
Moreno has already admitted to turning down Nottingham Forest over the summer. That was despite Steve Cooper’s side agreeing a deal with Los Verdiblancos.
Aston Villa, of course, is a different proposition. An established Premier League side rather than a newly-promoted one. A club who can dream of better following the potentially game-altering appointment of a serial European trophy winner in Unai Emery. That Stevenage abhorration aside, Villa have impressed so far under Emery; beating Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur while outplaying Liverpool for long spells.
But Pellegrini, who knows a thing or two about life at the top level as well, believes Moreno will take some convincing before he bids farewell to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Aston Villa want Alex Moreno after he rejected Nottingham Forest move
“I speak to him normally, as I speak with all the players. But as I said the other day with (star striker) Borja Iglesias, it is not good to respond to rumours rather than news,” explains the former Villarreal, Real Madrid and Manchester City tactician.
“Alex had the possibility of leaving (in the summer) and he decided to stay. He is very happy here. Let’s see what happens with him, and with other players who can dream about leaving.
“That’s why I don’t like to speculate on rumours.”
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Betis want around £16 million for Moreno; raising their demands for the 30-year-old given their understandable aversion to selling mid-season. Aston Villa have reportedly seen an opening bid of around £10 million rejected.
Moreno, attacking and adventurous, scored five goals and set up five more in 2021/22. His potential arrival may raise questions about the role of Lucas Digne – who only arrived for big-money from Everton 12 months ago – in Emery’s plans.
Ludwig Augustinsson, meanwhile, is only on loan from Betis’ neighbours Sevilla for another few months.
Aston Villa are also targeting forwards. Rumours of a move for Manchester United misfit Harry Maguire, however, appear to be wide of the mark.
Danny Ings, Morgan Sanson and Frederic Guilbert are also the subject of much speculation. Philippe Coutinho too; the Brazil international underwhelming once again in that Stevenage defeat. He has been linked with a return to South America.
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