UD Las Palmas and Olympiacos are negotiating the arrival of 33-year-old Gran Canaria forward Jefté Betancor, who could join the pre-season camp that the yellow team will start on Monday in Marbella.
The Gran Canaria forward Jefté Betancor is closer than ever to wearing yellow. UD Las Palmas and Olympiacos, the club that holds his rights, are in advanced talks to unlock a transfer that has been stalled for weeks. The aim is for Betancor to join the pre-season camp that the Canary team starts next Monday in Marbella, a key event to begin laying the foundations for the 2026-27 season.
Negotiations accelerate
The president of UD Las Palmas, Miguel Ángel Ramírez, has already warned that the club would welcome Betancor as long as he arrives with a release letter. However, Olympiacos, which does not count on the player, is not willing to let him go for free and demands compensation for the year left on his contract. Both parties are exploring ways to untangle the operation, which could be finalised in the coming hours.
Betancor himself has been clear since the end of last season:
I want to play in Las Palmas and the club wants me to play for UDA declaration of intent that he has firmly maintained while pushing to return to the club where he was trained.
A veteran attacking duo
The arrival of Betancor, aged 33, would allow for the formation of an attacking duo with Jesé Rodríguez, also 33, another illustrious veteran who is currently in fine form in front of goal. Last season, Betancor scored 18 goals while on loan at Albacete, while Jesé added 11 goals wearing the Gran Canaria shirt. An offensive partnership that excites the yellow fans as they aim for promotion.
The sporting director of UD, Luis Helguera, has already indicated this week that the club expects to make between three and four signings: two centre-backs, a winger, possibly a midfielder, and a forward. And that last one has a name: Jefté.
The precedent of Viera
The situation is reminiscent of last summer's events with the return of Jonathan Viera. On July 12, his signing was announced, the next day he was presented, and 24 hours later he was on his way to Marbella. However, on that occasion, Viera was not tied to any club. Now, the outcome for Betancor could repeat that story, although with the added complication of negotiating with Olympiacos.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Raúl Lizoain, a friend of Betancor and with whom he shared a dressing room at Albacete, did not have as much patience. His signing depended on the departure of Dinko Horkas, a possibility that remains open, but Lizoain gave up and preferred to sign for Granada, a transfer that has yet to be officially announced. For the Malagueño, the news that UD Las Palmas is strengthening their attack with a proven goalscorer like Betancor adds excitement to a pre-season that promises to be intense in Marbella.
You may also like
