La Liga rivals have identified the 23-year-old forward from Barcelona as a player he wants to add this summer, but the transfer depends on the club qualifying for UEFA Champions League football next term.
According to Fichajes, Real Betis is targeting the forward who appealed to Pellegrini because of his technical excellence, intelligent link-up play, and finishing instinct.
However, the player has not had many minutes this year at Barcelona due to intense competition for minutes in their forward department.
Barcelona initially re-acquired the player to assess whether he is ready for the first team with new manager Hansi Flick, but after limited opportunities, Barcelona is now willing to send the player out on loan to continue his development while still maintaining control of him and his future.
This window has presented Betis with an opportunity because Pellegrini views the player as a perfect complement to his attacking style of play, especially if the club gets to Europe next season.
The player is Pau Victor, an emerging talent who has already impressed at youth levels.
Pellegrini has said to Betis’s board that if or when the team qualifies for the Champions League, they should move for Victor.
While formal talks have not yet happened, there is optimism that it could go quite quickly if they achieve their seasonal target.
For Victor, Betis is an attractive option that would provide minutes in La Liga, potential European minutes, and the opportunity to develop under Pellegrini.
Meanwhile, Barcelona has a tough decision to make – while Flick rates his potential, he cannot offer him a big role next season.
From a cost perspective, it would be doable for Betis, as there would likely be a loan to buy or a buy-back clause included in any proposed deal from Barcelona.
At this stage of the season, if Betis qualify for the Champions League, it is likely to determine whether this exciting transfer takes place or not, and could be the right step for Victor.
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