Deossa’s refusal stalls Betis’ Amrabat deal, blocks Vasco move

El Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa has told Real Betis he will not join Vasco da Gama, a decision that throws the club’s planned signing of Sofyan Amrabat into doubt, according to a report published on 31 July 2026 and forces director Manu Fajardo to rethink his transfer strategy.

Nelson Deossa alters the plans of the verdiblanca sporting direction and has expressed a desire to stay and fight for a place under manager Manuel Pellegrini, rather than move abroad.

The Colombian refuses to leave for Vasco da Gama, obliging Manu Fajardo to adjust the market with a tighter budget; the clubs’ agreement was reportedly at 100% but still requires the player’s approval.

Due to nursing issues, Deossa received more minutes than expected in pre‑season friendlies and impressed especially in the final test against Olympique Lyon, prompting him to cling to a stay at Heliópolis.

Betis had intended to free Deossa’s registration to launch a definitive pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat, the defensive‑oriented midfielder demanded by Pellegrini, but the operation is now under absolute suspension.

Deossa was the great wildcard in pre‑season, gaining action because of a lack of midfield options until the arrival of Uruguayan Bernal, and even being deployed as a false nine in the friendlies.

If Deossa decides to remain, Betis must place new players on the market; Marc Roca and Gio Lo Celso emerge as the main candidates to generate euros through a sale, with Roca on Espanyol’s radar and Lo Celso having rejected a concrete offer from River Plate to stay in Europe.

The market therefore shrinks for Fajardo, not only removing the possibility of Amrabat but also complicating the arrival of Dani Ceballos, a return the club has been negotiating for months.