Sports Brief 2

Betis clinch deal for Boudebouz
Spanish side Real Betis have signed Algerian international attacking midfielder Ryad Boudebouz from Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier, the French club announced on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old has penned a four-year deal with the Seville-based team, who paid Montpellier seven million euros for his services.

Boudebouz, who previously played for Sochaux and Bastia, scored 11 goals and made nine assists in the French top flight last season.

Spurs in hot chase for Balde
Lazio’s Senegalese striker Keita Balde has re-emerged as a potential transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs, who have previously kept tabs on the West African, will try to make the 22-year-old their first signing ahead of the new season.

Balde scored 16 goals in 31 Serie A appearances for Lazio last term and is seemingly looking for a move away from the Italian club, having thus far failed to agree a new contract – his current deal expires next year.

Any deal for Balde could see Vincent Janssen head the other way, with Lazio reportedly keen on the Dutch striker.

Roma in talks to sign Barca’s Munir
Roma are in talks with Barcelona over the signing of forward Munir El Haddadi, according to the player’s agent. The 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Valencia, is not believed to be in Ernesto Valverde’s plans at Camp Nou and has been linked with a move away from Spain.

Zenit and Ajax are reportedly interested in a €15million deal but Munir is said to be keen on joining Roma, who are eager to sign attacking reinforcements.

His agent, Francesc Valdivieso, has confirmed that discussions are ongoing and that Munir would relish the chance to play at the Stadio Olimpico.

Monaco join Sevilla in chase for Bacca
Ligue 1 champions Monaco have joined Sevilla in the race to sign Colombia striker Carlos Bacca from AC Milan.

Bacca scored 14 goals in 34 appearances for the Rossoneri last season but is set to fall foul of the squad overhaul at San Siro which has seen Andre Silva, Fabio Borini and Hakan Calhanoglu swell the attacking ranks.

Having enjoyed two goal-laden seasons with Sevilla before signing for Milan, Bacca favours a return to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but Monaco’s interest comes with guaranteed Champions League football attached as well as linking up with his international captain Radamel Falcao.