Newcastle United’s AWOL superstar Alexander Isak is not the only one who could see a dream transfer slip through his fingers this summer, as deadline day looms into view for Guido Rodriguez at West Ham United.
While Liverpool appear to have no intention of increasing their initial £110 million bid, and despite the best efforts of the Sweden international’s seemingly desperate representatives, all the signs right now point towards Alexander Isak returning to Tyneside with his tail between his legs and issuing a grovelling apology.
Guido Rodriguez, to his credit, has never threatened to engage in the same sort of bare-faced unprofessionalism. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Rodriguez played down rumours linking him with River Plate at the beginning of the summer. Since then, the experienced midfielder has stated on more than one occasion that he would be happy to stick around and fight for his place at West Ham United.
Yet, Hammers News have been informed that there is one club the World Cup winner would be happy to leave West Ham for.
Unfortunately for him, though, it appears that Real Betis have other plans.
Guido Rodriguez during West Ham United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Real Betis not planning to re-sign West Ham United’s Guido Rodriguez
Hammers News were told last week, by chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Guido Rodriguez is holding out for Real Betis.
The Argentina international played the best football of his career in Andalusia from 2020 to 2024. He was so impressive in green and white that Rodriguez even became a target for Barcelona before joining West Ham on a free transfer last summer, while Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce tried to lure him to Turkey.
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One year later, after an underwhelming first season in England, offers have been few and far between.
And after Real Betis pulled the plug on signing Emerson Palmieri, it appears that Manuel Pellegrini’s side are in no rush to make Guido Rodriguez’s August ambitions come true either.
Diario de Sevilla claim that the current plan at the Estadio Benito Villamarin is to get Marc Roca back to full fitness after an injury-hit 2024/25 campaign. The former Leeds United, Bayern Munich and Spain Under-21 ace is still considered the solution to Betis’ defensive midfield issues, with potential incomings on the backburner for now.
Los Verdiblancos are also firmly behind Sergi Altimira, snapped up from Getafe in 2023.
Furthermore, despite claims suggesting that West Ham had submitted a £10 million bid a couple of weeks ago, Real Betis brought Nelson Deossa to Spain from Mexican outfit Monterrey. Thus, reinforcing their engine room with one of the standout midfielders of the Club World Cup.
In addition to Roca, Altimira and Deossa, Pellegrini also has the versatile, former West Ham favourite Pablo Fornals at his disposal.
Rodriguez hopes for a big follow-up season under Graham Potter
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham may also cash in on Tomas Soucek, Nayef Aguerd and Edson Alvarez. That is if offers eventually arrive, however.
With Emerson Palmieri stuck in a ‘transfer freeze’ and Real Betis clearly not prioritising a return to Andalusia for Guido Rodriguez, West Ham appear no closer to raising the funds they need for further additions.
Rodriguez came off the bench as West Ham fought back against Lille at the London Stadium in their final pre-season fixture.
Having moved to England in August of last year, Rodriguez is confident that he will be in a position to silence his doubters with a full pre-season under his belt this time around.
“I’ve been working hard as always, and the truth is that I feel good,” says a man who started only four Premier League matches following Graham Potter’s appointment in January.
“Last year, I had arrived very close to the start of the Premier League, and I had not had a pre-season. Pre-seasons are always important, and good to experience, so I’m happy to have been here for the whole thing this time. I think it’s going to help me on the pitch.
“I am in constant communication with the coach, and talking to him about what he wants for me. So for now, things are positive and heading in the right direction.”