Ezzalzouli has become a Betis threat beyond Barcelona’s reach

On 1 September 2023, Barcelona announced Ezzalzouli’s transfer to Real Betis for 7.5 million euros, retaining a buy-back right and 50% of the proceeds from any future sale. Those terms later changed. The former Barcelona winger has become a key attacking player for Betis, and Hansi Flick acknowledged his qualities ahead of Saturday’s meeting between the sides.

The change followed Vitor Roque’s transfer to Palmeiras in February 2025, while the Brazilian was on loan at Real Betis. The deal, worth 25 million euros in fixed fees plus 5 million in add-ons, led Barcelona to give up 30% of its share of a future Ezzalzouli sale. The Catalan club’s share consequently fell to 20%, while its buy-back option expired in summer 2025.

Betis therefore has control over the winger’s future, with his contract running until 30 June 2029. Barcelona can no longer rely on a right to bring him back and now holds only a reduced share of any future transfer proceeds.

On the pitch, Ezzalzouli has become a threat to watch: he has scored 32 goals in 134 matches since joining the Andalusian side. Before Saturday’s Spanish league fixture, Flick, Barcelona’s coach, expressed his admiration for the Moroccan international, who scored in Betis’s 3-2 victory over Porto.

“What I see impresses me. He is a wonderful player, and I really like the way he plays, as well as his confidence in one-on-one duels in the final third; he is also capable of scoring. It’s great,” Flick said at his pre-match press conference.

After being promoted from the reserve team, Ezzalzouli made 14 first-team appearances for Barcelona and scored against Osasuna in a 2-2 draw. Last summer, a return to Barcelona had been considered, but the club opted instead to bring in Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Ahead of the Betis match, Flick’s praise underlined how far the winger has come since leaving, while the revised transfer terms have narrowed Barcelona’s options.