Betis to increase hero Benat's terms
Benat’s two goals for Real Betis in the Sevilla derby last week have made him a fans’ idol and the club now intend to offer him a significant pay rise.
The 25-year-old, real name Beñat Etxebarria Urkiaga, has a contract that ends in June, 2014 but is understood to be one of the lowest paid players at the club earning around €150,000-a-year, the same as other youngsters in Pepe Mel’s squad.
However, according to AS, Los Beticos have been more than happy with his performances over the last two seasons since signing from Athletic Bilbao, particularly since he spent the first campaign in the reserves and only made his first-team bow in August, 2010, playing the second half of a 4-1 home win over Granada.
Jose Vicente Biurrin, Benat’s agent, is due to travel to Sevilla in the next two weeks to meet Betis director of football Vlada Stosic, during which the club plan to increase the length of the Basque-born player’s contract and also his financial situation, with discussions set to include the rescission clause in his agreement.
Betis feel €12m is the current market value for someone who has been a revelation in the second half of the season, being instrumental in helping secure the Andalusians’ top-flight safety. Nonetheless, Los Verdiblancos would be willing to negotiate if any offer comes in over €6m, although the player himself insists he does not want to leave.
“People have been stopping me in the street to congratulate me on my two goals and that makes me very happy,” said Benat. “I see my future with Betis and am not considering going anywhere else. If any other team wants me then that is a matter for the clubs and not me."
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