Jesus Rodriguez to Aston Villa transfer update as Real Betis respond and swap deal mooted

Aston Villa in Ongoing Negotiations with Real Betis Over Jesús Rodríguez Transfer

Aston Villa are currently in active discussions with La Liga outfit Real Betis as they seek to finalize a deal for highly-rated winger Jesús Rodríguez. The 20-year-old has emerged as a prominent transfer target for the Premier League side, who are eager to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season.

 

Villa’s interest in Rodríguez reflects their recent strategy of investing in young, high-upside players capable of flourishing under the guidance of head coach Unai Emery. The club has seen notable success with this approach and appears keen to continue on that trajectory.

 

According to a report from Diario de Sevilla, Villa’s sporting director Monchi, who has strong ties to Spanish football, initiated contact with Real Betis last week. Negotiations are said to be progressing, with Betis reportedly open to letting Rodríguez go for a transfer fee in the region of €30 to €35 million.

 

There are also indications that the two clubs could explore a player-plus-cash deal to help smooth negotiations. While the specifics are still under discussion, two Villa players—Álex Moreno and Enzo Barrenechea—have been linked with a potential move in the opposite direction as part of the agreement.

 

Interestingly, Álex Moreno is a former Betis player and moved to Villa in January 2023. His familiarity with the club makes him a plausible bargaining chip, especially if Betis miss out on their current target, Junior Firpo. Barrenechea, on the other hand, has caught the attention of several European sides after a standout loan spell at Valencia under manager Carlos Corberán. His name has been floated as a potential makeweight in the Rodríguez deal.

 

Jesús Rodríguez made significant strides during the 2024–25 season under the leadership of Manuel Pellegrini. He firmly established himself as a first-team option, featuring in 32 matches across all competitions, including 21 appearances in La Liga. He made his senior debut in October in a Copa del Rey match against CD Gévora and has since gained a reputation as one of the brightest young prospects in Spanish football.

 

Villa sees Rodríguez not only as a player for the future but one who can immediately contribute to their attacking depth. With talks ongoing, both clubs appear optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement in the coming days or weeks.