Real Betis are moving with intent ahead of the summer window, lining up a deal they believe could be one of the bargains of the market.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Andalusian club have set their sights on Sofiane El Karouani, the attack-minded Moroccan left-back currently at FC Utrecht. At 25, he fits the profile Betis have been chasing for some time: energetic, adventurous, and comfortable turning defence into a platform for sustained pressure.
El Karouani is understood to be open to the switch to La Liga, attracted by the chance to test himself in one of Europe’s top leagues and by the style of football Betis have cultivated in recent seasons.
For Betis, the appeal is obvious. They see a low-cost opportunity in a player whose contractual situation is expected to ease negotiations. While El Karouani’s deal with Utrecht officially runs until the summer of 2026, Betis believe that structure will allow for a relatively straightforward operation, without the inflated fees that usually surround prime-age full-backs.
On the pitch, the numbers underline why he has come into focus. El Karouani has featured in 42 matches this season, producing three goals and an eye-catching 16 assists. Those figures reflect exactly what Betis are hunting on the left flank: a defender who does not just support attacks, but actively drives them.
The club want extra thrust and creativity from wide areas, and El Karouani’s capacity to get forward and consistently create danger has pushed him near the top of their list.
Should the move materialise, the Moroccan would walk into a familiar dressing room. He would link up with compatriot Abdel Samad El Zalzouli in Seville, adding another line of North African flair to a Betis side quietly reshaping itself for the next phase of its project.
