Real Betis are set to make a late bid for Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen, as the La Liga side look to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window closes.
Janssen has not played for the Premier League side so far this season, and he could make a loan move to the Andalusian club in the next 24 hours, with a purchase option available in the summer.
The Dutch international has endured a torrid time in North London following his move from AZ Alkmaar at the start of the 2017-18 season.
He has struggled for form and fitness across the past 18 months, becoming something of a pariah at the club, even when he was on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce last season.
Injuries have been a big issue in 2018-19, however manager Mauricio Pochettino has consistently said that even when fit, the 24 year-old has no place in his future plans.
There has been interest in his native Netherlands for Janssen, however the only reported concrete offer to come in for him is from Quique Setien’s Real Betis.
Even then, the Spanish side are only willing to do a loan deal, to ensure they do not make a same financial error on Janssen, that Pochettino clearly thinks he made, and to assess his suitability to Spanish football.
A distinct lack of goals, or rather a lack of an outstanding goal scorer, has undermined Real Betis this season, with midfield pair Sergio Canales and on loan Giovani Lo Celso their top scorers with seven and eight goals respectively this season in all competitions.
Sergio Leon, who netted 13 goals last season, has not scored a single league goal this time around.
Pablo Sanabria, who scored eight goals in league action in 2017-18, has scored just twice in La Liga this season – and last week he sealed a loan move to Serie A Genoa for the remainder of 2018-19.
It is a big ask for Janssen to come into the club and solve their goal scoring concerns, particularly as he has not kicked a ball in competitive action this season.
However the hope is that the move can improve his confidence sufficiently to score between five and ten goals before the end of the campaign, and the quality within the rest of the squad will allow them to ensure Europa League qualification.
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