Rangers and Rayo Vallecano locked in battle to sign Betis defender after PSV deal falls through over work permit trouble

It has turned into a three-way battle between Mendy, Betis, and multiple suitors. A previously agreed upon move to PSV collapsed due to bureaucratic hurdles, leaving the door open for other clubs. Rayo have since become the preferred destination reaching a personal agreement with Mendy, according to Estadio Deportivo. However, Betis are not satisfied with Rayo's offer, and the situation has been further been complicated by Scottish giants Rangers, who have also held talks with the player.

PSV had agreed to a deal worth €4 million for 80 per cent of Mendy’s transfer rights. However, the move was halted by Dutch work permit regulations, which require non-EU players to have a certain level of international experience. As Mendy has never played for his national team and has limited appearances in the top flight, he did not meet the criteria, leading to the deal's collapse.

Though this deal failed, it created a significant financial benchmark for Betis. The Spanish club, which initially bought Mendy from Paris FC for around €900,000, wants to monetise their asset for a price closer to the PSV offer. Vallecano’s current offer of €2.5m for 50-60% of Nobel's rights falls significantly short of that valuation. This financial gap has given an opportunity for other clubs, including Rangers, Club Brugge and Basel to enter the race.

Rayo in a bid to force Betis into selling the player reached personal agreement with Mendy as they offered him a clear cut plan and a five-year contract. Though, Mendy is prioritising a move to Rayo, Rangers have now entered the race to sign him and have also reportedly held talks with the player's camp. This involvement by the Scottish side can be a game-changer as they can outbid Rayo. Betis, on the other hand, are seeking to get the best amount they can from this deal and also want to include a buy-back clause in Mendy's contract.

The final decision on Mendy's future hangs in the balance. It depends on both his personal preference and Betis’ willingness to compromise on a transfer fee. The outcome now depends on whether Vallecano can improve their bid, or if Rangers can present a more lucrative package that convinces both Betis and the player.