Real Betis have moved quickly to secure the services of Brazilian striker Alecsandro.
Real Betis have moved quickly to secure the services of Brazilian striker Alecsandro.The Spaniards have agreed to pay Cruzeiro ‚é¼3 million (£2 million) for the prolific hit-man who has a fine scoring record in Brazilian football.
The 25-year-old, who only joined Cruzeiro last September, has managed a total of 20 goals in 45 games for the Belo Horizonte outfit, despite a number of those appearances coming as a substitute.
Alecsandro, full name Alecsandro Barbosa Felisbino, is expected in Spain later in the week to complete the formalities of his move.
His signing casts further doubt on the future of compatriot Ricardo Oliveira who has fallen out with Betis over his late return from a loan spell with Sao Paulo.
Oliveira (pictured), who suffered a serious knee injury last year, joined Sao Paulo on loan in April in a bid to gain match fitness ahead of the World Cup.
Ultimately he did not make the Brazil squad and stayed on in his homeland to play for Sao Paulo.
He was expected to report back for pre-season by Betis, but reappeared nine days late leading the club to issue him with a ‚é¼1 million (£600,000) fine.
Unsurprisingly, relations between the player and club are now extremely strained and many sources are claiming he could well depart before the transfer window slams shut.
One player who the club seem adamant will not be leaving is Spain international Joaquin.
The winger has expressed his desire to depart this summer and Lyon and Internazionale are now understood to have joined the race to sign him.
However, Betis president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera is standing firm and insists the club will not be forced to sell against their will.
Meanwhile, Betis have been dealt a blow on the injury front with the news that defender David Rivas faces two months on the sidelines.
The imposing centre back damaged ligaments in his left knee during a training session and will now miss the start of the new campaign.
