Crystal Palace and West Ham United are reportedly keen on signing 25-year-old Brazilian defender Natan from La Liga club Real Betis in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by ABC Sevilla, as relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace and West Ham United are interested in Real Betis defender Natan. The two London clubs are keen on bolstering their defensive units by signing a centre-back ahead of the 2026/27 season.
However, Crystal Palace and West Ham are not alone in the battle for the South American defender’s signature, as Bournemouth and Brentford are also vying for his services. Meanwhile, Real Betis will demand around €40 million to part ways with him this summer.
Who is Natan?
Natan has established himself as one of the most reliable defenders in La Liga since joining Real Betis from Napoli. Born in Itapecerica da Serra, the 25-year-old spent his formative years in Brazil, passing through the academies at Escolinha AERT, Rio Branco-ES, Porto Vitória, and AA Ponte Preta before graduating from the youth division at CR Flamengo.
However, the Brazilian defender had to bide his time before landing on his feet, as he could not establish a stable foothold until he joined Real Betis. The player has made nearly 100 appearances for the Andalusian outfit, having been a mainstay at the back for them. Meanwhile, his progress has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with Crystal Palace and West Ham United among his prospective suitors.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Crystal Palace’s interest in Natan is understandable. The Eagles are scouring the market for a centre-back, as Marc Guehi left a gaping hole in the defensive unit after moving to Manchester City earlier this year. Additionally, recent reports have linked Maxence Lacroix with a move away from Selhurst Park. So, Natan is a viable target for Crystal Palace.
As for West Ham United, the East London club wanted to sign the Real Betis centre-back in the winter transfer window, but a deal did not materialise. The continued interest makes sense, as it is unclear if Axel Disasi will complete a permanent move to the London Stadium. Additionally, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Max Dowman have failed to make their mark during their stints with West Ham.
Meanwhile, it is unclear if Natan’s prospective suitors are ready to pay €40 million to sign him in the coming months. However, with four Premier League clubs vying for the 25-year-old Brazilian defender’s signature, Real Betis can justify the high valuation, as a bidding war can lead to a substantial transfer fee.
