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Benat – Real Betis to Athletico Bilbao (£8m)
What’s the story? Benat is one of the top playmakers in Spain and is a Basque. Bingo for Bilbao.
Is the price right? Yes. Probably spot on. Bilbao had £35m in their pocket from selling Javi Martinez so could afford it. Betis are not in great shape financially.
Why sign him? They needed to replace the calm passing of Javi Martinez. They really missed Martinez last season as they struggled to keep up the momentum built over recent seasons.
Why sell him? They needed the money really and he was Betis’ only salable asset.
Will it work? Yes. Potentially spectacularly as well. Bilbao have the frenzied pressing and passing that Dortmund and Bayern have utilised but couldn’t do it properly last year without a proper string puller.
Grade: A Another good bit of business. They’ve replaced Martinez which could make them a serious force in La Liga again.
