KEY POINTS

  • Aissa Mandi's current Real Betis deal is due to expire this summer
  • His transfer fee is expected to be around $35 million
  • He was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer of 2020

Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi has reportedly set out his terms amid interest from various top European clubs, including Liverpool FC.

Mandi’s contract with the La Liga side is due to expire at the end of the 2020-21 season. He wants a contract worth around $3 million-a-year, Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo reported. That works out to be around $45,000-a-week, which is very much within the reach of clubs such as Liverpool.

The other clubs that are also interested in acquiring the 29-year-old center-back are West Ham and Inter Milan.

Inter Milan have contacted Mandi’s agents over a potential move to San Siro because their head coach Antonio Conte wants the Algeria national on his side next season, according to Spanish media outlet TodoFichajes.

It is understood that even though Real Betis want to offer an extension to Mandi, it will be difficult for the La Liga side to compete economically with the interested clubs. He has been associated with Real Betis since 2016 and over the years, he has become a vital cog in the team. In the ongoing season, he has also netted three goals and assisted one in as many as 24 competitive appearances he has made for the Spanish club.

Last summer, when Liverpool had parted ways with Dejan Lovren, it was reported that Mandi could replace the Croatian at Anfield ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. However, the deal never materialized, but it looks like Jurgen Klopp and Company have not given up on Mandi, who has experience of 334 first-team matches since his debut in 2012. He kickstarted his professional career at French side Reims before moving to Real Betis in 2016 for a mere fee of $3.3 million.

Considering how well Mandi has evolved over the years, Real Betis could demand around $35 million for the talented Algerian defender ahead of the 2021 summer transfer window.

Virgil van Dijk (left)was forced off injured by a late challenge from Jordan Pickford (centre)
Virgil van Dijk (left)was forced off injured by a late challenge from Jordan Pickford (centre) POOL / Peter Byrne

In the ongoing season, Liverpool have been struck with a major blow with both their first-choice center-backs, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, currently sidelined with injuries. With inexperience in their depth, the reigning champions’ title defense has come to an end while they have dropped to No. 7 in the 2020-21 Premier League table.

RELATED STORIES
Soccer