Real Betis closing in on deal for Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar

Real Betis and AZ Alkmaar are in the final stages of negotiations over a transfer for striker Troy Parrott, with the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international on the verge of a move to La Liga. The deal, if completed, would cap a remarkable value arc for a player AZ signed from Tottenham Hotspur just two years ago for a fee reported between €4M and €8M. AZ’s asking price now sits at approximately €30M, or roughly £25M. That’s a potential return of nearly four to seven times the original investment, depending on which end of the initial fee range you use. A striker surplus to requirements Parrott’s situation at AZ has shifted dramatically in recent months. Despite scoring 30 goals since arriving in Alkmaar, the Irish forward has fallen out of favor under coach Leeroy Echteld, losing his starting spot to Mexx Meerdink. That dip in form, or at least in selection, has made AZ open to cashing in. The club isn’t desperate, though. Earlier offers from West Ham United, Ajax, Fulham, and VfL Wolfsburg were all turned away. Those bids reportedly ranged between €18M and £17.5M, well short of AZ’s valuation. Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph and Dutch outlet Soccer News both describe th...