Official: Barcelona starlet joins La Liga rivals in €7.5 million deal

After the departures of Ansu Fati and Clement Lenglet on loan, FC Barcelona have confirmed another deadline day departure as Ez Abde has signed for Real Betis.

“FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompié have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ez Abde for 7.5 million euros. The Barcelona club reserves a right of repurchase and 50% of a future sale of the player,” the statement from the club read.

The 21-year-old had signed for the Blaugrana back in 2021 from Hercules CF and made an impression in the first-team setup early in Xavi’s tenure as manager.

Last season, Abde was loaned out to CA Osasuna, where he made a big impression, standing out one of the best performers of the Pamplona-based outfit.

Upon returning, it appeared that Abde would be a part of Xavi’s setup for the current campaign, but the youngster was not pleased with the game-time he received in the first three matches of the season.

Eventually, Abde decided to ask for a departure and the two clubs eventually found an agreement that saw Barcelona part with 50% of the player’s rights in exchange for €7.5 million. It would entail that Barça can pocket a 50% fee from a future sale.

The initial agreement was for a fee of €10 million, but with Real Betis dealing with FFP issues, the Blaugrana reduced the fee to €7.5 million.

Abde departs Barcelona after having made 14 first-team appearances in which he scored one goal.