Sevilla sporting director Oscar Arias insists his club “won’t pander to anyone” or sell Steven N’Zonzi and Vitolo for any less than their release clauses.
N’Zonzi and Vitolo have been heavily linked with Juventus and Atletico Madrid respectively, but both players have €40m exit clauses and Arias [pictured, right] made it clear the Andalusians would not be short-changed.
“No departures are planned, although there may be some players that the Coach doesn’t want when he starts work,” he told Estadio Deportivo.
“Still, in principle, the Coach hasn’t asked for anyone to be sold.
“Selling Vitolo and N’Zonzi? That isn’t in our plans, but [major sales] can happen every summer. It’s something that we don’t know about yet.
“It’s true that there’s been a lot of talk, they are important players who have had very good seasons and can be on the agenda of many clubs, but I’m not completely certain.
“People may think [they’ll be sold] due to everything that’s been said, read or thought, but it’s not easy.
“Vitolo going public with his desire for a new challenge? It’s something that the club have taken calmly because it seems logical for a player that has been at Sevilla for four years, given magnificent performances and grown continuously since he arrived.
“We’re proud and delighted with him and we know that he is with us too.
“That doesn’t prevent an interesting offer for him or us coming in, and if someone pays his release clause, we can’t do anything.
“Atleti’s transfer ban? Sevilla don’t have to pander to anyone. If Atletico Madrid want Vitolo, they’ll have to find a solution.
“We don’t want to sell Vitolo, that’s why I won’t force someone I don’t want to leave to do so. The President has already mapped out which path we’re taking.
“Players like to play wherever they want to play, but this isn’t always the case.
“And if they want to leave, someone only has to deposit their release clause.”
