Real Betis add Chelsea attacker Kenedy to transfer shortlist — report

A successful season-long loan stint at Granada by Chelsea attacker Kenedy had the Spanish club longing for extending the deal for a further year on loan, instead of taking up the buying option included in his contract. But it seems the Blues have different plans for the player who had been training with Brazilian club —and potential suitors — Flamengo since last month.

But it could be the case that Kenedy will return to Spain, only not to play with Granada again. According to a report from Diario de Sevilla, Kenedy is one of Real Betis’ targets to reinforce their attacking options this summer.

The Verdiblancos might be looking at three attacking players leaving the club, with Juanmi, Christian Tello and Loren Morón all reportedly nearing the exit door. One replacement for the trio, initially reported by newspaper AS, would be Everton forward and future free agent Joshua King.

In case they manage to still have some money to spend on other players, then Betis would set their sights on Darwin Machís and Kenedy, who impressed onlookers while featuring on the wings of Granada during their La Liga and Europa League efforts last season. Both are well regarded by head coach Manuel Pellegrini, who led Betis to a sixth-place finish in the Spanish League last term.

It is still unknown whether Chelsea prefer to see Kenedy in another loan stint, or out of the club in definitive. The former would certainly help Betis and many others, including fellow La Liga outfit Valencia, in fulfilling their wishes.