Monchi refers to ‘very important, respectful’ bidDefender still happy at club, insists sporting directorSevilla have ended negotiations with Newcastle over Diego Carlos and do not expect the central defender to depart during the transfer window. Final conversations between the clubs were held three days ago, with Newcastle’s offer rejected because it was insufficient and Sevilla would not have been able to replace him adequately at short notice.
Sevilla’s sporting director, Monchi, admitted that had the offer arrived in the summer it might have been different but he considers this market closed. The only way Newcastle could sign Diego Carlos now would be to pay his €70m (£58.4m) buyout clause. Monchi said the defender was happy at Sevilla and the captain, Ivan Rakitic, insisted: “Sometimes it is a big opportunity but Diego and other players know what they have here.”