Real Betis have today confirmed that contract talks with Benat Etxebarria are not progressing and a sale in January cannot be ruled out.
The midfield playmaker was strongly linked with a departure this summer, with first Athletic Bilbao and then Wolfsburg linked with bids in excess of €10m.
However, following on from Betis’ rejection of the latter’s reported bid, the intention from the Andalucians has been to tie him down to an improved deal.
Talks have begun, but as club administrator Jose Antonio Bosch confirmed today, they have not progressed yet and a sale in January cannot be dismissed.
“There is no firm ruling that we are never able to sell anyone. The club is never closed to anything,” Bosch told reporters today.
“Relations [with Benat] are cordial, the two agents are charming and talks are fluid. But, no progress is no progress, because if there had been any, he would have renewed.
“We rejected more than €10m for his transfer from Wolfsburg [in August]. It was decided that Benat can only be transferred for his buyout clause [of €20m].”
