Real Betis’ Vlada Stosic and Pepe Mel have met with the club’s administrators in a bid to facilitate reinforcing the team ahead of the coming La Liga season, and been told to sell players before they can buy.
On the team’s first day back from their pre-season tour of Wales, the club’s sporting director and Coach held talks alongside President Miguel Guillen with the club’s appointed administrators to try to release funds to buy new players.
Diario de Sevilla understands that where Mel has been impressed with the team’s showing in preparations for their return to the Primera Division, that reinforcements are required both to add experience and competition for places across the squad.
The Andalusians finished their UK tour with a 1-0 defeat to Swansea City, but had beaten non-League side Havant and Waterlooville 8-0 and Welsh Premier League side Neath 8-0, with Jonathan Pereira netting seven of the side’s goals in the latter contest.
Despite that, one of Mel’s priorities remains securing another striker. Stosic has all but confirmed Achille Emana’s €4.5m transfer to Al Hilal as close to completion, with the clubs and player having agreed on terms of the deal for the Cameroonian attacker.
Beyond this now priority search for a striker are the requirements for a right-back – with Porto’s Miguel Lopes the identified target, having spent last year on loan at the Benito Villamarin – and a centre-back. Where Mel and Stosic have presented these identified targets of reinforcement to the administrators, they have been told they will have to sell players to assist in funding the moves, and given the squad is considered fairly large as it is.
Indeed, when talking to AS of Emana’s sale, Stosic confirmed: “Until Emana leaves, we cannot discuss new signings as there is no possibility of signing anyone without that money. We know we are in administration and must do everything according to the regulations. We have to wait for departures.”
The sporting director confirmed Mel has made clear to him of players now deemed surplus to requirements, and that the duo will be holding talks this week with those names. Stosic also went on to say that the club will refuse to talk about transfer targets until negotiations are done as it otherwise has the risk of inflating players’ valuations.
Betis kick off the new season at home against Sevilla in El derbi Sevillano, a fixture announced today for a 10pm slot on the Sunday of the opening round of La Liga matches.
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