Five months after leaving Manchester United, the Madrid native remains a free agent and is still eligible to sign with any club. A return to La Liga is on the table, and Real Betis appear to be among the frontrunners in the race to bring him back to Spain, where he spent nearly thirteen years before making the move abroad. The latest chatter suggests Betis are actively exploring a deal that would reunite the former United standout with Spanish football, this time in Seville, where the club is rebuilding its squad around a veteran presence in goal.
- Real Betis are showing concrete interest in De Gea as they assess options to bolster their goalkeeping department.
- De Gea has been without a club since June, keeping his fitness and form under close watch as negotiations progress.
- Rui Silva and Claudio Bravo, Betis’ current keepers, are both dealing with injuries, complicating selection ahead of key fixtures.
WHAT HAPPENED? As reported by El Desmarque, De Gea is keen to return to Spain after a long spell in England, spanning nearly a dozen seasons and a half. The Spanish outlet asserts that talks between Real Betis and the goalkeeper have begun in earnest, with both sides showing a readiness to reach an agreement. The Greens and Whites see De Gea as their first-choice shot-stopper, provided Rui Silva departs in the upcoming winter window and Bravo remains the only other senior option. With Silva and Bravo sidelined due to injuries, Betis could be compelled to rely on a makeshift solution for the derby against Sevilla, prompting interim arrangements as the squad contends with a tight schedule and limited depth in goal. In the event De Gea finalizes a deal, his presence could offer significant stabilisation for a Betis side hoping to maintain momentum across domestic competition and European qualification prospects.
CONTEXT: The report indicates that Betis might employ a short-term arrangement reminiscent of the “Isco formula” used previously with a high-profile signing: a contract of limited duration on reduced terms that benefits both parties. The 33-year-old goalkeeper, once among the world’s highest-paid at Manchester United, would only commit if Betis could arrange a financial package that aligns with its salary structure and performance goals. Club officials have acknowledged that the team’s wage bill has stretched beyond the approved cap, and that Silva could be earmarked for departure should the right financial scenario arise. Such a move would also reflect Betis’ broader strategy to refresh key positions with proven performers while maintaining financial prudence.
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WHAT’S NEXT? Pellegrini’s Betis face a crucial test against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuán stadium on matchday 13, a game that currently leaves the team without a first-team goalkeeper due to injuries to Bravo and Rui Silva. The Chilean coach will reportedly have to lean on the reserve squad’s keeper, Fran Vieites, as he plots a plan to secure a result in a high-stakes derby. The unfolding situation will likely accelerate discussions with De Gea, as Betis assess whether the Spaniard can fill the void and bring leadership to the backline during a demanding run of fixtures. The outcome of these negotiations could redefine Betis’ defensive solidity for the remainder of the season, while also signaling De Gea’s readiness to re-enter top-flight football in his homeland.