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La anécdota de Joseba Etxeberria con Lopera y el Real Betis antes de su fichaje…
La anécdota de Joseba Etxeberria con Manuel Ruiz Lopera y el Real Betis antes de su fichaje por el Athletic Club.
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Joseba Etxeberria Reveals Near-Transfer to Real Betis and Athletic Club's Last-Minute Intervention
Former Athletic Club star Joseba Etxeberria has revealed a previously untold chapter of his career, detailing how he was on the verge of joining Real Betis. During a recent podcast appearance, Etxeberria explained that Real Betis, under the leadership of then-owner Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, had activated his release clause, valued at 550 million pesetas. "I was going to Seville," Etxeberria stated, indicating his readiness for the move. The dramatic turn of events unfolded when Roberto Ríos, a former Betis defender and Etxeberria's agent at the time, learned of the impending transfer. Ríos, who maintained a close relationship with Athletic Club president José María Arrate, promptly informed the Basque club's leadership. This revelation triggered an urgent meeting at Athletic Club, where a decision was made to secure Etxeberria's continued presence. The details of how Athletic Club managed to retain the promising forward remain a testament to the intricate and often last-minute negotiations that characterize top-tier football transfers.
