Alex Moreno has explained why he opted to stay in La Liga with Real Betis and turn down a £9 million move to Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest, speaking to RTV Betis.
Make no mistake, this is not a decision Moreno took lightly.
Nottingham Forest, at the third time of asking, agreed a £9 million deal with Betis for the 29-year-old left-back a couple of weeks ago. But Moreno, after weighing up the pros and cons, came to the conclusion that he would be better off staying at a club who not only ended a 20-year trophy drought last season but also secured Europa League qualification.
“I made the decision,” explains Moreno, who was also a target for Fulham back in June. “I am at the club I want, (and) I am happy.
“I’m very happy to be able to continue here. I had to talk to a lot of people. In the end, the conclusion was that the stability I have, and the ambition to keep growing at this club and keep winning things and aspire to more things (was enough to convince me to stay).”
Alex Moreno turned down Nottingham Forest move
Moreno, who hopes for a place in Spain’s World Cup squad, was one of Europe’s most productive full-backs last season. He scored or assisted ten goals in all competitions for Manuel Pellegrini’s talented Betis side.
“I made very good numbers last year. My goal is to reach those numbers again,” adds the former Espanyol ace.
“I am happy, I have the trust of the coach, coaching staff, club, and team-mates. In the end, all this makes me keep raising my level. The fans are also something very important to me. I’ve always valued them very much.”
Nottingham Forest are still hoping to add another left-sider to Steve Cooper’s defence before next week’s transfer deadline. Forest have reportedly enquired about Atletico Madrid’s Renan Lodi, Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon and Fiorentina’s Cristiano Biraghi.
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