Betis sporting director Fajardo: 'Any attacking signing must improve what we have'
Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo discusses potential January transfers, injury updates on Isco and Amrabat, and the importance of Europa League progression.
Betis won’t be bringing in any Tom, Dick or Harry this January window, with sporting director Manu Fajardo making it crystal clear they’re only after proper quality in attack.
Transfer talk
Speaking before Betis’ crucial Europa League clash with PAOK Thessaloniki, Fajardo laid down the law on the club’s January transfer strategy. The Verdiblancos are working within tight financial fair play restrictions, meaning exits must happen before any new faces arrive.
“In case we bring in an attacking player, it has to be someone who genuinely improves what we currently have in the squad,” Fajardo explained. He was adamant about not making signings just for the sake of it – proper smart business that, innit?
The sporting director’s comments suggest Betis are being proper careful with their dosh this window. They’re clearly after quality over quantity, which should be music to the ears of the Benito Villamarín faithful.
Injury updates
Fajardo was understandably cagey when pressed about the recovery timelines for key players Isco and Sofyan Amrabat. Both lads have been in the treatment room, with their absences leaving a proper hole in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad.
“We have to be very cautious and respectful about these things,” Fajardo noted, leaving the medical team to determine when the players will be ready for action. He did, however, praise Amrabat’s commitment to the club and expressed hope for a speedy recovery.
Europa League ambitions
The sporting director also highlighted the importance of securing a result against PAOK, which could see Betis finish in the top eight of the Europa League and advance directly to the round of 16.
This would give the squad a valuable two-week breather in their congested fixture list, allowing them to focus on their upcoming Copa del Rey quarter-final against Atlético Madrid and their La Liga campaign.
With matches coming thick and fast every three days, that extra recovery time would be worth its weight in gold for Pellegrini’s troops as they battle on multiple fronts.