Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Benjamin Stambouli is set to leave before the end of the month, with Real Betis sporting director Miguel Torrecilla revealing the Spanish club's interest.
Stambouli, 26, only joined the French champions from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £6 million fee last summer. However, after the arrival of new coach Unai Emery and Poland international Grzegorz Krychowiak -- as well as the emergence of youth academy graduates Christopher Nkunku and Lorenzo Callegari -- competition for midfield places is fiercer than ever.
The Frenchman has been linked with a move away over the past few weeks, with Real Betis and Schalke regularly touted as destinations and Torrecilla confirmed Betis' desire to sign him.
"We are working on a central midfielder," Torrecilla said, while unveiling new signing Manu Herrera on Thursday. "Stambouli is one of the players who we are working towards, but we also have other options open to us. David Lopez also is another option but there are other options we are working on that have not been made public."
"A recruit in this position is something that has been asked for by the coach [Gus Poyet.] The team is already prepared for competition, the players that we have at this moment are ready to compete.
"In 48 hours, this team will be playing at Camp Nou [in the first game of La Liga]. However, we are looking for a player who will help us raise our level and whose competence will help us grow."
French reports have suggested that PSG are looking for a fee of around €8m and a permanent transfer but that Betis are more interested in a loan deal with an option to buy.
Stambouli featured in the 4-1 Trophee des Champions victory over Lyon but was left out of Emery's 19-man squad for the 1-0 win away at Bastia on the opening day of the new Ligue 1 season last week.