Real Betis Balompié have contacted Benfica to explore the possibility of signing Franjo Ivanović, although the Portuguese club demands 22.8 million euros for the player. According to La Colina De Nervion, Benfica wants to recover a large part of the money they paid for the player in 2025, when they acquired him from Union Saint-Gilloise for 22.8 million euros.
What's happened?
Real Betis Balompié have contacted Benfica to explore the possibility of signing Franjo Ivanović, although the Portuguese club demands 22.8 million euros for the player.
Why does this matter for Real Betis Balompié?
The signing of Franjo Ivanović would be a significant investment for Real Betis Balompié, as the player has a contract until 2030 and has demonstrated his value in Portuguese football.
What comes next?
Real Betis Balompié must decide whether they can avoid Benfica's selling price and sign Franjo Ivanović. The Portuguese club has received offers from other clubs, such as Galatasaray, but has not accepted any of them.
Currently, Real Betis Balompié are in fifth place in the league, with 46 points and a goal difference of +7. The team has scored 45 goals and received 38 in the current season. The difference in points with leader Barcelona is 33 points.
The situation of Franjo Ivanović is a clear indication that the player may be signed by another club. Vangelis Pavlidis is a regular player in the team, Jhon Durán has recently arrived and Benfica wants to give space to Anísio Cabral, while Marco Silva usually uses a striker in his team. Franjo Ivanović has scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists in his first season in Portugal, below expectations for a player of his level in 2025. In the previous year at Union Saint-Gilloise, he scored 21 goals and provided 7 assists in 47 games, being key in the title and European qualification of the team.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 5th in La Liga, 46 pts, 11W-13D-7L from 31 games, recent form DDLDL. Goals this season: 45 scored, 38 conceded (+7 goal difference). Title race: 33 points behind leaders Barcelona.
