Key Points
- West Ham United are among several clubs tracking Real Betis centre-back Natan ahead of the summer transfer window.
- Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Brentford have also been linked with the Brazilian defender, while earlier reports mentioned Newcastle and Serie A interest as well.
- Natan joined Real Betis on loan from Napoli in 2024, and Betis later activated a €9m option to make the move permanent.
- Recent reporting suggests Real Betis may seek around €35m to €40m for the 25-year-old, although some sources have suggested a slightly lower figure could also be possible.
- Natan has been described as a key performer for Betis this season, with his form helping to draw fresh Premier League attention.
- The player is reported to prefer staying in La Liga, which could complicate any move to England.
West Ham United (East London Times) May 5, 2026 are firmly in contention to sign Real Betis defender Natan when the summer window opens, with multiple reports in Spain and England pointing to renewed Premier League interest.As reported by the unnamed writer at Sport Witness, Newcastle United, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth were all said to be in the picture for the centre-back on 29 April 2026, with Betis understood to want around €35m at that stage. The same report said Betis had already made Natan’s stay permanent after initially signing him on loan from Napoli, and that his performances had kept him on the radar of several English clubs.
A separate report from The Hard Tackle on 1 April 2026, citing ABC Sevilla via Sport Witness, said West Ham were joined by Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Brentford in the race for the defender, with Betis reportedly ready to demand around €40m. That widened picture has been echoed by later coverage, which continued to frame the Hammers as serious suitors rather than casual observers.
Why are Premier League clubs following him?
Natan’s rise at Real Betis is the main reason for the interest, with several reports saying he has impressed enough in La Liga to attract clubs from England and beyond.
According to Sport Witness on 30 April 2026, Betis were said to view Natan as one of the most sellable players in the squad because his form had lifted his market appeal.
That report also said Betis needed to balance their books before 30 June, which could encourage a sale if the right offer arrives.
Player-stat websites also show that Natan has been a regular presence for Betis this season. FotMob listed him as a 25-year-old left-footed centre-back with strong minutes and starts in La Liga during 2025/26, while SportBusy recorded 29 league appearances, no goals, no assists and seven yellow cards. Those numbers suggest a defender being trusted consistently rather than used sparingly.
What do reports say about the fee?
The fee remains the biggest question in the story, because the published figures vary depending on the outlet.
ABC Sevilla, as relayed by Sport Witness, suggested Betis could ask for around €40m, while another Sport Witness report later put the figure at €35m.
TransferFeed’s April 2026 overview said the most recent reporting pointed to a minimum of €35m, though other sources suggested a deal might be struck for around €30m. Goal also cited a €40m asking price in early April.
That means any club interested in Natan may have to decide whether his form justifies a fee that is far above the €9m Betis paid to make his move permanent. The gap between Betis’ purchase cost and the current asking figures underlines how quickly his standing has risen.
How did Natan get to Real Betis?
Natan’s route to Spain began with Napoli, who sent him to Real Betis on loan in 2024 with an option to buy.
Football Italia reported in June 2025 that Napoli had officially confirmed the permanent sale, adding that the option to buy was worth €9m.
Yahoo Sports and OneFootball both reported the original loan arrangement as a deal with a purchase option at the end of the season, again pointing to the €9m total package.
That background matters because it explains why Betis are now in a strong position: they control the player’s contract and can decide whether to sell or keep him.
It also explains why other clubs are now weighing whether the price is still manageable after only one strong campaign.
What is Natan’s profile as a defender?
Natan is widely described as a left-footed centre-back, and reports have emphasised his physical strength and aerial ability.
Read Crystal Palace’s coverage described him as dominant in the air and strong in defensive duels, while the same general theme appears in other reports linking him with Premier League clubs.
West Ham-related coverage also pointed to his work in high-volume defensive situations, suggesting he would fit teams that face sustained pressure and need a defender comfortable with clearances and repeated defensive actions.
Stat websites back up that idea by showing a defender with consistent minutes, regular starts and a solid defensive workload across the season. While those platforms do not settle the transfer debate, they help explain why his name keeps appearing in recruitment reporting.
Could West Ham win the race?
West Ham’s chances may depend on two things: whether they can match Betis’ asking price, and whether Natan is willing to leave Spain.
Inside Futbol reported that Natan would rather remain in La Liga, which would be a clear obstacle for Premier League bidders.
West Ham Zone also said those around the player believed a bid of about £25.9m could be enough, but it added that his preference for staying in Spain could still sway the outcome.
That leaves the Hammers in a familiar position: strongly interested, but not guaranteed to win a transfer battle that may also involve other Premier League sides.
Bournemouth have repeatedly been named in the chase, while Crystal Palace and Brentford have also featured in multiple reports, making this a crowded contest rather than a simple two-club race.
Background of development
The development stems from Natan’s progression from a loan signing to an established Betis defender within one season. Napoli first moved him to Betis on loan in 2024, and the Spanish club later activated a €9m permanent deal after being satisfied with his performances.
Once that move was completed, his profile rose further through regular La Liga and European appearances in the 2025/26 campaign. That progress has since pushed him into a market where several Premier League clubs are monitoring him, and Betis appear willing to listen if the price is right.
