Sevilla sporting director Monchi has insisted the club didn’t turn down the chance to sign Robin Van Persie from Manchester United.
It had been reported in Spain that Monchi dismissed the idea of a move for Van Persie, who joined Fenerbahce, as the Dutchman previously turned down the club, but according to the sporting director, that would have been madness.
“Snubbing Van Persie would be like saying no to Lionel Messi. He’s a top player and I wouldn’t have dared. I’d go and pick him up from wherever he was,” Marca quote Monchi as saying.
“I haven’t snubbed him. If some of the players we tried for in the past could come, we’d always be open to it. Sevilla is more important than my pride. I’m not spiteful.”
Monchi was asked about Sevilla’s interest in a striker after Carlos Bacca left for Milan, and said that it’s not certain a new player will arrive.
“First we have to decide on the position and the profile. I don’t group signings as ‘top players’ or ‘not top players’,” he replied.
“When a signing is made it’s to improve the squad. I’m not after big names or a cherry on top. I’ll speak to the Coach to see if it’s possible to improve. If not, the squad will stay as it is.
“There is zero interest in Jonathas. He’s not one of our targets and at the moment he isn’t on the market.
“Alen Halilovic? He’s a player with a big future but we have Ever Banega, Denis Suarez, Vicente Iborra, Steven N’Zonzi…we don’t see a need to strengthen there.”
