Barcelona are considering a summer move for Real Betis winger Ez Abde, but the Moroccan international reportedly has concerns about the role he would play at his former club, according to reports from Sport. The 24-year-old is on a list of low-cost options being evaluated by sporting director Deco as Barcelona prepare for the likely departure of loanee Marcus Rashford. The Catalan club holds a sell-on clause from Abde's 2023 transfer to Betis, which could be used to facilitate a cheaper deal.
Abde has flourished in his third season at the Benito Villamarín, establishing himself as a key figure for Manuel Pellegrini's side. Across 38 appearances in all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign, he has registered 12 goals and nine assists, a significant improvement on his output during his first two years in Andalusia. This consistent run of form, built on being a regular starter, has brought him back onto Barcelona's radar as they seek to bolster their wide attacking options.
The primary obstacle to a deal, however, is understood to be sporting rather than financial. Sport reports that Abde would have reservations about returning to the Spotify Camp Nou unless he is given assurances of a prominent role. At Betis, he is an undisputed first-choice player, a status he would be unlikely to replicate immediately at Barcelona where Raphinha remains the established starter on the left flank. This presents a potential conflict with Barcelona's vision of Abde as a competitive understudy and long-term successor rather than an immediate replacement.
Barcelona's interest is driven by a need for cost-effective squad building. With Rashford's loan from Manchester United not expected to be made permanent, the club is looking for a player who can provide depth and competition without a massive outlay. Abde's profile, as a former La Masia graduate who knows the club and is entering his prime, fits that model. Furthermore, the existing sell-on clause in his contract gives Barcelona a built-in financial advantage in any negotiation with Betis.
Real Betis are said to be prepared to negotiate Abde's sale for the right price, with the player's contract situation and the club's own financial model making a transfer feasible. For Betis, a sale would represent significant profit on a player they signed for a reported €7.5 million three years prior. The potential involvement of Barcelona's sell-on clause adds a layer of complexity, as it could allow the buying club to effectively reduce the net fee by offsetting it against the money they would be owed.
The coming months will reveal whether Barcelona can structure an offer that satisfies both Betis's valuation and, crucially, Abde's desire for guaranteed playing time. His development at Betis has been predicated on continuity, and a move to a club where he would initially be a backup carries inherent risk. For Barcelona, convincing a player to accept a squad role while paying a transfer fee represents a different challenge compared to signing a free agent or a younger prospect. This fundamental mismatch in expectations could prove to be the most significant barrier to a reunion.
