Altimira emerges as valuable asset in Betis transfer market
Despite slipping down Pellegrini's pecking order, Sergi Altimira has caught the attention of Frankfurt and Premier League clubs as Betis consider their transfer options.
Real Betis midfielder Sergi Altimira has become a potential transfer market bargaining chip despite his reduced role in recent matches, with Frankfurt and Premier League clubs circling.
From key player to rotation option
Last season, the Catalan pivot was Pellegrini’s fourth most-used player, racking up over 3,100 minutes on the pitch. This campaign, while still among the eight most-utilized players with 1,260+ minutes, his expected prominence following Amrabat’s departure for AFCON hasn’t quite materialized.
The numbers tell a proper story:
- Just one LaLiga start since Sofyan’s injury (against Barcelona) - and he was hooked at half-time
- Limited to under 30 minutes in the Seville derby (though he did score)
- Barely featured against Rayo and Real Madrid
- Didn’t get off the bench against Getafe before the Christmas break
- Only finding consistent minutes in Europa League and Copa del Rey
Pellegrini’s current preference for Deossa and Marc Roca in domestic competitions has left Altimira somewhat on the outside looking in.
Transfer interest heating up
With the January window wide open, several clubs are sniffing around. Eintracht Frankfurt, who were keen last summer according to German reports, have apparently renewed their interest. Meanwhile, unnamed Premier League clubs continue monitoring his situation.
Betis aren’t pushing him out the door, but sporting director Manu Fajardo recently told MARCA that Altimira belongs in a group of players considered valuable both on the pitch and as potential “future capital gains” - alongside Natan, Valentín Gómez, Deossa, Cucho, Abde and Riquelme.
Price tag and priorities
The Verdiblancos aren’t desperate to cash in, but with Marc Roca, Deossa, the returning Amrabat, and versatile Fornals all competing for midfield spots, Altimira could be expendable for the right price.
Fajardo acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the market: “Markets change rapidly, there’s need, clubs get nervous and might make proposals well above market value.”
While Betis’ priority remains offloading Chimy and Bakambu to fund a new striker, they’d certainly consider offers for Altimira if they exceed his current market valuation - estimated at around €20 million by specialist sites like Transfermarkt.
For now, he remains in the Betis squad, but his Adam and Eve might be on the line if the right offer comes in.