Real Betis Nears Signing of Álvaro Fidalgo

Real Betis is poised to finalize the signing of Álvaro Fidalgo, the Asturian midfielder who has been based in Mexico for the past five years. Barring any unforeseen developments, he will become the first addition to the verdiblanco squad during the current winter transfer window, which closes tomorrow night. Fidalgo is expected to sign a contract for four and a half seasons, lasting until June 30, 2030, with the club agreeing to a minimal transfer fee with América.

Despite having utilized most of their available salary cap during the previous summer, Betis has devised a strategy to complete this transfer without necessitating the departure of any current players. A modest transfer fee of approximately two million euros, as reported by El Desmarque, combined with a long-term contract that amortizes the cost, should enable the club to accommodate Fidalgo’s signing without sacrificing any of their athletes. However, the Sports Management department continues to explore the potential departure of Bakambu, which could open the door for a second reinforcement in the forward position.

The anticipated addition of Fidalgo serves a dual purpose for Betis. On one hand, it enhances the team’s creative capabilities with a player capable of operating in a double pivot or slightly ahead in an attacking midfield role. This flexibility will provide manager Manuel Pellegrini with additional options following the injuries to Isco and Lo Celso, both of whom lack a defined timeline for their return to action. On the other hand, similar to past acquisitions like Johnny Cardoso, Betis is preemptively securing a player they had planned to target in the summer.

Fidalgo, currently with América de México, is considered a significant market opportunity as his contract expires on June 30. Betis has acted swiftly to outmaneuver interest from clubs such as Real Sociedad and Lazio, and they are now close to concluding the deal. This behind-the-scenes work is expected to yield results within the upcoming hours, right before the winter transfer window closes, coinciding with the conclusion of Fidalgo’s five-year tenure in Mexico, which would also make him eligible for selection by the Mexican national team for the World Cup.

Born in Hevia on April 9, 1997, Fidalgo progressed through the youth academies of Oviedo and Sporting before joining Real Madrid’s youth system at the cadet level. After a brief loan spell with Rayo Majadahonda, he returned to Madrid to join the Castilla team. In December 2018, he made his first-team debut in a Copa del Rey match against Melilla. Months later, he participated in a preseason under Zinedine Zidane in Montreal and saw minutes in a friendly against Arsenal in the United States.

In 2020, Fidalgo moved to Castellón and, in January 2021, he ventured to América de México, joining under the guidance of Argentine coach Santiago Solari, who was familiar with him from La Fábrica. Now, after a successful five-year career with the Águilas, Fidalgo is set to embark on a return to Spain. While donning the verdiblanco jersey seems to be his next step, the club remains cautious until the negotiations—currently in advanced stages—are successfully concluded.