Sevilla could approach Sporting Lisbon with an offer for Andre Carrillo in January to ward off competition next summer when the forward will be a free agent.
Estadio Deportivo reports that Los Rojiblancos may take the same approach that worked with Ivan Rakitic, when he joined from Schalke in January 2011
Rakitic, now at Barcelona, could have left the German club for nothing that same summer but Sevilla prised him away in the winter by offering Schalke €2.5m, which they preferred over losing the midfielder for free.
Sevilla are keen on Carrillo and Monchi wanted a player for the right wing this summer but was unable to get one, so Carrillo would fill a vacancy in Unai Emery’s squad.
However, there’s concern that if Carrillo becomes a free agent there could be a bidding war for his services and if his wage rises too high, Sevilla could miss out.
Sevilla have told Carrillo they will pay him €1.6m a year if he takes their offer but there’s the possibility of a January offer to his current club, with whom he is at a contractual impasse.
Sporting have responded to Carrillo’s rejection of a new contract by freezing him out of the team, leading to talk of an appeal against his treatment to FIFA.
Sevilla may look to capitalise on the discord by giving Sporting a chance to recoup some money for the Peru international in January, although no fee is mooted.
Carrillo’s representative Elio Caserato is further quoted by Estadio Deportivo as confirming the winter window will be pivotal.
“As the representative I have had some approaches but nothing will be decided until January,” he confirmed.
“We’re waiting for Sporting to [lift Carrillo’s ban on first team activity]. The Coach has said it is purely an administrative decision and we can’t accept or allow this.”
