This is the last thing Alex Moreno needed.
During the final few months of the campaign, Real Betis’ swashbuckling full-back lost his place in the starting XI to Juan Miranda, watching on wistfully as Manuel Pellegrini’s side recovered from a miserable start to the season to secure Europa League qualification.
And, according to Sport, the man who stole Moreno’s left-back berth is now returning to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on a full-time basis.
Impressed by the impact Miranda made since joining on loan from Barcelona, Real Betis are in talks over a deal that would see the La Masia graduate put pen to paper on a full-time contract.
But while one door closes, another opens.
From La Liga to Leeds for Alex Moreno?
In April, TEAMtalk reported Leeds United were willing to offer Moreno a fresh start in the Premier League.
And Marcelo Bielsa’s swashbuckling, all-guns-blazing brand of footballing fun should suit a jet-heeled, attack-minded full-back like Moreno down to the ground.
Put short, the 27-year-old Spaniard is tailor-made for Bielsa-ball.
“It is true they have called my agent – big clubs,” Moreno said a few weeks ago when asked to reflect on reports linking him with a move away from Betis.
“It is a source of pride that big clubs notice me.”
Diario de Sevilla, meanwhile, believes Real Betis will accept just £5 million for the former Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca man – a darn sight less than his £35 million release clause.
And with Miranda set to become a permanent member of Pellegrini’s squad in the coming days, Leeds’ long-running pursuit of a specialist left-back could be over before you know it.
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