Aston Villa enters race for Real Betis teen sensation Jesús Rodríguez

Multiple clubs have been closely following the impressive progress of Jesús Rodríguez at Real Betis in recent months. The academy product, who had debuted with the first team earlier in the season, seized his opportunity after Assane Diao's sale to Como in January, cementing his place in the senior squad and making a powerful entry into elite football, showcasing his immense potential.

Despite seeing his playing time reduced slightly towards the end of the season in favor of Abde, with whom he competed for a spot in Manuel Pellegrini's starting eleven, market interest in the young Alcalá de Guadaíra native has not waned. Clubs like Chelsea are reportedly keeping a close eye on him, and interest has also emerged from teams in Germany and Italy.

However, as first reported by Estadio Deportivo last week and confirmed by Fabrizio Romano this Friday, it is Unai Emery and Monchi's Aston Villa that has now entered into conversations with Real Betis. Villa is reportedly seeking to understand the conditions for a potential transfer of their promising academy talent.

€50 million release clause and Betis's stance

Jesús Rodríguez is currently focused on the U21 European Championship with Spain. He recently postponed any discussions with his agent regarding potential proposals until after the tournament, consistently prioritizing his desire to remain with Betis. The Verdiblancos (Real Betis) are fully aware of the winger's enormous potential and growth margin, having "locked down" his contract a few months ago with a renewal extending until 2029.

His release clause could reach €50 million. While Real Betis fully intends to count on Jesús for the upcoming season, they also recognize that a significantly high financial offer would compel them to consider a sale. At just 19 years old, Rodríguez has already played 32 matches with the senior team, contributing three goals and two assists. According to several specialized websites, his market value is currently around €30 million, a figure lower than what Betis would likely demand for any hypothetical transfer.