This article was written in collaboration with Omar Hawwash.
Real Betis are looking into the possibility of Carles Aleñá staying with them for one more season, and are keen on bringing in two other Barcelona players.
European clubs are beginning to prepare the upcoming transfer market which is looking to be very different. In Barcelona, they are already planning the moves that they will face this summer.
According to the Spanish news outlet, Mundo Deportivo, Real Betis are interested in three Barcelona players, although an agreement is yet to be reached, as the situations of these three players differ a lot from each other. The three players in question are Carles Aleñá, who already is on loan with Betis, Riqui Puig, and a former Betis-man in Junior Firpo.
Carles Aleñá
The 22-year-old midfielder on loan at Real Betis for six months has left such good feelings at Benito Villamarín that the Andalusian club, according to the same report, formally will ask Barcelona for a second season for Aleñá in Seville.
The Barça academy player has declared last Thursday through Radio Betis that at this time he does not think about the future, since he is happy and focused on Betis.
“It would be crazy if I closed the door to Betis. I am very happy, I love the city, I have had my first child here and I am delighted with how the players are treated in the club. I am very, very happy at Real Betis and I do not want to think about the future.”
However, Barcelona have informed Carles Aleñá that they count on him for the upcoming season, with Quique Setién wanting him to partake in the preseason preparations with the first team.
Riqui Puig
Riqui Puig’s priority is to stay at Barça, as many reports from Spain have previously stated. However, his continuity at the club also depends on the plans the club have for him. Even though Barcelona reportedly informed the young midfielder that they count on him for the first team, Puig would, according to a recent report by SER Catalunya, only have three months to show his worth in the first team. If he fails to impress and outperform his peers, the club would then, per the same report, open the doors to a loan deal for the youngster.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Betis are interested in the youngster and have the doors open for Puig, after the pleasant experiences the club has had with the Catalans’ academy players over the years.
Junior Firpo
The left-back came up through Betis’ ranks, and has only been at the Camp Nou for a season that turned out to be a very unusual one. Barça are, per the same report, only looking for a sale and do not consider Betis as an option. The Verdiblancos are awaiting possible moves that Junior Firpo could be involved in, and could look towards a loan move or a permanent move for the Dominican youngster.
Despite Betis’ interest in Barça’s players, they know the operations are complicated. Yet facing this unusual summer, everything could be possible.
