If you follow La Liga closely, then you already know – Beñat Etxebarria is a special player.

Currently pulling the strings for 7th place Real Betis Balompie, the 26 year old will likely bring his artistically-carved passes to the Premier League this summer. What club will be savvy enough to purchase his services has yet to be determined although the strongest interest has come from Manchester City and Chelsea.

The Basque-born player’s ascent has been a gradual one. An Athletic Bilbao youth product he spent three years playing with Los Leones‘ third team (CD Baskonia) and the reserve side before making his La Liga debut in a 1-1 draw with Osasuna in October 2006.

During the 2008–09 season Beñat played with third division side UB Conquense and was subsequently released by Bilbao. That summer he signed with Real Betis. After spending his first season with the reserves, he made his first team debut in the 4-1 home win against Granada in August 2010, chipping in with an assist.

Beñat’s breakout against Granda convinced Pepe Mel to start the midfielder three days later against UD Salamanca. The manager’s faith paid off as Beñat scored to help the Verdiblanco’s win the match 2-1. With his starting spot cemented, Beñat went on to feature in 36 matches, netting four times and guiding Betis to a birth in top flight football. Last season he scored five goals and notched 6 assists in 35 appearances.

For a deep-lying playmaker in the mold of Luka Modric, Beñat’s contributions on the offensive side of the ball shouldn’t be overlooked. He fancies his chances from anywhere in the park (his 25 yard strike against Real Madrid last December handed Betis a famous 1-0 victory) and relishes every free-kick opportunity (he scored from two re-starts to beat Sevilla 2-1 in last season’s derby at the Estadio Benito Villamarin).

Like Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla before him, Beñat is one of Spain’s diminutive playmakers who will arrive at the Premier League somewhat under the radar, yet another victim of La Furia Roja‘s infinite depth in the center of the park. He’s nevertheless managed to be receive four caps under Vincente del Bosque, a fan Beñat’s perfectly shaped passes that curl into teammates feet like a kitten begging for milk.

With his stubby body opponents don’t take him for much of a tackler but he is a menace defensively. His challenges have the teeth of Paul Scholes and his break-outs the composure of Xabi Alonso. In short, the unassuming midfielder should thrive in the hard-knocks lifestyle of the English Premier League.

Earlier this month the player’s agent suggested that despite his current contract ending in June 2014, Beñat will leave Betis this summer to further his international hopes. “We are not talking about a new contract with Betis,” Vicente Biurrun said. “Benat’s future is, probably, far away from Seville. We are not going to wait until his contract runs out, but we will look for a club at the very top level where Benat can play regularly and show what he can do before the World Cup. Making the World Cup squad is a dream. That is why we are looking for a big team.”

Whereas City and Chelsea have expressed the most interest in triggering Benat’s $26.1m (€20m) release clause, he could just as easily find himself at United, Liverpool or Arsenal. One way or another, keep your eyes on who lands the Betis puppet-master, the next Spanish midfielder destined for greatness in the Premier League.