Betis slam the transfer window shut after Fidalgo deal
Real Betis conclude their winter transfer activity with just one signing, as Álvaro Fidalgo arrives from Club América while several potential exits fail to materialize.
Betis have wrapped up a quiet January window with just one new face through the door, as the club puts its transfer business to bed.
Fidalgo the lone arrival
The Verdiblancos have completed their winter business with the solitary addition of Álvaro Fidalgo, the 28-year-old Spanish midfielder who joins from Mexican outfit Club América. The former Real Madrid academy product has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal and will be officially unveiled to the media tomorrow at the Luis del Sol training complex.
No room at the inn
With the squad list at full capacity and virtually no wiggle room left in their salary cap, Betis found themselves properly hamstrung. The only way Manuel Fajardo’s sporting department could’ve squeezed in another signing would’ve been through player departures - but none of the potential exits came to fruition in the final hours of the window.
Failed exits and persistent suitors
Cédric Bakambu was the player closest to the exit door, with interest from:
- Oviedo and Alavés in Spain
- Mallorca
- Genoa in Italy
- Several Saudi Arabian clubs
However, for personal reasons, the Congolese striker has opted to see out his contract with Betis, which expires on June 30th.
The Chimy Ávila situation followed a similar pattern. Despite interest from Getafe and Boca Juniors earlier in January, the Argentine has regained prominence during Cucho Hernández’s injury absence and will remain at the Benito Villamarín.
Last-minute enquiries
As the deadline approached, several clubs made eleventh-hour approaches for Betis players:
- West Ham enquired about Natan
- Turkish giants Besiktas and Galatasaray showed interest in Nelson Deossa
- Bundesliga sides Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig renewed their pursuit of Sergi Altimira
Ultimately, all these players are staying put until at least the summer, when Betis are expected to make significant moves to strengthen the left-back position, defensive midfield, and attack.
Europa League squad dilemma
With their Copa del Rey quarter-final against Atlético Madrid at La Cartuja looming on Thursday, Betis now face an internal debate about their Europa League squad registration. If they want to include new boy Fidalgo for the knockout stages, someone from September’s UEFA list will need to make way.
With Valles, Adrián and Junior fulfilling homegrown criteria, Betis can only register 24 players on their ‘List A’ (while Ortiz and Pablo García remain on the youth ‘List B’).