Real Betis to bid for Benfica’s Nelson

La Liga club eye swoop for right-back

Spain’s Real Betis are believed to be preparing an offer for Benfica right-back Nelson. The Andalusian side would like to finalise their squad ahead of the transfer deadline in a fortnight and are keen to bring the Portuguese U21 starlet to the Estadio Manuel Luiz de Lopera.

The Seville based club’s director of football, Manuel Monparlet, had admitted his fondness for the player, but would not divulge where the club stands in terms of tabling an official bid.

“I will not say that he is not a player that we are not pursuing. Above all, with any negotiations involving Benfica, we prefer not to make any comments until the process is concluded,” confessed the executive.

Betis are prepared to offer Benfica 5m euros in order to secure Nelson’s signature, but the Portuguese outfit have not commented on the news. The player’s buyout clause stands at 20m euros.


Related: Unhappy Nelson blasts “insulting” Benfica contract
Related: Nelson PortuGOAL profile


The Cape Verdean born player has spoken out at his displeasure at being one of the poorly paid players on the team, only to subsequently retract his statements.

Nelson could team up with fellow countryman Ricardo at Betis. The Portugal international goalkeeper joined the Verdiblancos one year ago.

Should Nelson leave the Eagles, it would leave the club with Uruguayan Maxi Pereira as the team’s lone right-back.