In September 2023, despite the transfer window in Spain being officially closed, Real Betis made a transfer that, while financially beneficial for the club, ultimately became a sporting challenge, especially in their Europa League campaign. The club accepted an offer of €22 million fixed, with an additional €3 million in performance-based variables, for one of their defensive pillars, Luiz Felipe. Now, a little over a year later, the Italian-Brazilian center-back might be on his way back to the club in a surprising turn of events.
Table of Contents
According to reports from market expert Mateo Moretto, the agents representing Luiz Felipe are negotiating a termination of his contract with Al-Ittihad. If this materializes, it would open an unexpected door for Real Betis to potentially bring back a player who was pivotal to their success under Manuel Pellegrini. Luiz Felipe left Betis for a lucrative offer in Saudi Arabia but had always hinted at the possibility of returning to Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Before departing, Luiz Felipe made it clear that his departure was not permanent: “Although my path takes me to new challenges and adventures, I want you to know that this is not a final goodbye. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again in the future. In the meantime, I will carry the memories and affection we shared. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and for Betis,” said the center-back before heading off to play in a developing league where he has not achieved the level of prominence he expected.
Bureaucratic Issues Keep Luiz Felipe on the Sidelines
Luiz Felipe’s stint in Saudi Arabia, particularly with Al-Ittihad, has been far from smooth. Last season, despite struggling with two major muscle injuries, he still managed to appear in 27 official matches across the Saudi Pro League, the Saudi Super Cup, the AFC Champions League, and the King’s Cup. However, this season, he’s encountered significant bureaucratic hurdles. These issues, combined with a recent injury, have kept him sidelined. He was only able to play one match in August 2023 before succumbing to another injury.
The situation worsened when Al-Ittihad had to make tough choices regarding their foreign player registration. Under the rules, Saudi Pro League clubs can only register ten foreign players, and two must be under the age of 23. Al-Ittihad decided to register Pedrag Rajkovic, N’Golo Kanté, Danilo Pereira, Houssem Aouar, Steven Bergwijn, Fabinho, Moussa Diaby, and Karim Benzema. They only registered Mario Mitaj as their sole under-23 player. This left Luiz Felipe without a spot in the squad, meaning he won’t be eligible to play until January unless there’s a change in the roster.
This bureaucratic issue has caused frustration for both Luiz Felipe and Al-Ittihad. As a result, the defender is reportedly negotiating an early exit from Saudi Arabia, paving the way for a potential return to La Liga.
Real Betis Monitoring the Situation Closely
While Betis are not currently in desperate need of a central defender, the situation could change by January. The team already has Diego Llorente, Natan, Marc Bartra, and Ferland Mendy to cover the defensive line, and even Ricardo Rodríguez can fill in at center-back if necessary. However, a fully fit Luiz Felipe would undeniably elevate the quality of Betis’ backline, especially if injuries or form dips affect their current defenders.
Betis are keenly following the developments surrounding Luiz Felipe’s potential release from Al-Ittihad. The club would have to weigh their needs when the January transfer window opens and see whether they can seize this unexpected opportunity. For now, all eyes are on Luiz Felipe, a player who could make a significant impact if he returns to Seville.
A Possible Homecoming
Luiz Felipe’s return to Betis could serve as both a tactical and sentimental boost. Having already proven himself in La Liga, he knows the club’s philosophy and has the trust of coach Manuel Pellegrini. His departure for Saudi Arabia may have filled the club’s coffers, but his absence has left a void in the defensive structure that could be mended with his return. If the January transfer window unfolds as expected, Betis could once again count on a player who was integral to their recent successes.
Luiz Felipe’s potential return to Real Betis will depend on the final resolution of his contract situation with Al-Ittihad. Regardless, the possibility of his return is one that excites the Betis faithful and brings a new layer of intrigue to the upcoming transfer window.
