Betis’ financial muscle forces Sevilla’s midfield gamble into doubt
Sports journalist Antonio Blanco, who plays as a midfielder for Deportivo Alavés until June 2027, has become the focal point of a transfer tussle between Sevilla and Betis, with the Andalusian side believing a deal was progressing while the Verdiblancos have now entered the race.
Sevilla had been negotiating with Blanco’s representatives for several weeks and publicly declared the operation to be well on its way. His refusal to renew has turned him into one of LaLiga’s most sought‑after midfielders.
Blanco’s profile—a technical central midfielder capable of joining without a transfer fee—fits Sevilla’s plan to reinforce the engine room without straining the books. Moreover, Luis García Plaza, who previously coached him at Mendizorroza and now leads Sevilla, sees a reunion as an added incentive.
Betis steps into the race
Betis, which had been monitoring the Córdoba midfielder since July, decided to move from observation to active bidding. The club identified an opening at Nervión and believes its stronger financial position allows it to present a markedly superior contract and salary package.
Betis’s more relaxed finances enable it to propose conditions that surpass Sevilla’s offer, putting the Andalusian side’s carefully crafted plan at risk. If Sevilla cannot match the terms, the sporting argument of García Plaza will have to compete with a higher wage demand.
Alavés’ price tag and contract deadline
Deportivo Alavés has set a €20 million release clause and has signalled that any sale must respect it, effectively closing the club to lower offers. Con contrato en Vitoria hasta junio de 2027, the most economical route for any suitor is to wait for the contract to expire.
Manu Fajardo, Betis’s sporting director, has tracked Blanco for several windows, viewing him as a perfect fit for Manuel Pellegrini’s system. The interest is not new: in July the club, alongside Villarreal, awaited Blanco’s decision, while Real Madrid retains 50 percent of his rights.
Blanco has already refused to extend his deal in Vitoria, meaning he will become free in eight months. With both Sevilla and Betis now vying for his signature, the final outcome hinges on whether the Andalusian side can meet Betis’s financial proposal.