Diego Carlos is not too disappointed after missing out on a January move to Premier League outfit Newcastle United, Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi tells La Colina de Nervion.
A first La Liga title since 1946 would be some consolation.
Yes, Diego Carlos wanted to join Newcastle in the January transfer window. He, like compatriot Bruno Guimaraes, is intrigued by one of the most ambitious projects in European football.
One suspects that a sizeable wage hike – Newcastle were ready to double his current pay-packet – played a part too.
But Sevilla stood firm, rejecting a number of bids from St James’ Park. Newcastle eventually offered £30 million. A sizeable sum but still some way short of Carlos’ £38 million price-tag.
And, when the shutters slammed down on Monday night, Eddie Howe had to make do with Dan Burn instead. A proven Premier League operator, yes, but hardly the sort of elite-level marquee signing supporters were dreaming off when those Saudi Arabian billionaires hounded Mike Ashley out of town.
Will Diego Carlos win La Liga after missing out on Newcastle switch?
But how does Carlos feel about being denied a mid-season move to Newcastle United? Well, given that Sevilla are within touching distance of the La Liga summit and have a Europa League knockout tie coming up, he’s not exactly distraught.
“The push that Newcastle made for Diego Carlos was very strong,” admits the much-admired Monchi, who signed the defender from Nantes for just £13 million in 2019.
“The club had an idea (to keep Carlos) and from there it has not moved. (Newcastle’s) offer was important, respectful and even Diego has had his mental ups and downs.
“But he has ended up satisfied.”
Coach Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, insists that Carlos is ‘happy and content’ at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
The former Real Madrid boss is understandably thrilled to keep the most watertight backline in La Liga together as Sevilla look to reign in the table-topping Blancos.
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