Wolverhampton Wanderers have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Sevilla star Lucas Ocampos but, speaking to Canal Sur Radio, the Argentina international has made it clear he has no plans to leave the La Liga outfit.
They do say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. And Ocampos has found that out first-hand.
When he arrived in Andalusia in 2019 at the age of 24, the journeyman winger had already played for five different clubs, including AC Milan, Monaco and Marseille.
But after flattering to deceive in Italy and France, Ocampos, in his own words, has “exploded” in Seville.
A career-best 17 goals helped fire Julen Lopetegui’s side to yet another Europa League title last term and, while his second season at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan hasn’t been quite so spectacular, the late-blooming forward is keen to make Sevilla his forever home after years of bouncing from one destination to another.
“I am a player who is very grateful to this club. It made me feel very good personally to come here. I love the city. I am very happy and I don’t think of any other place than this,” says Ocampos, who has produced another seven goals in 2021/22 despite his recent injury problems.
“I am grateful to this club because it gave me confidence and I exploded in many ways I have not done at other clubs. The happiness and desire to play soccer that I have here, I did not have in many other places.
“I am very happy – both myself and my family. I do not dislike at all the idea of continuing with this great club.”
La Colina de Nervion reports a goal-shy Wolves side is keen on Ocampos, a skilful, swaggering wideman with the touch of a paintbrush and the shot of a power drill.
El Intransigente, meanwhile, recently claimed the one-time San Siro youngster, who has a £56 million release clause in his contract, was keen on a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.
However, Ocampos doesn’t sound like a man angling for a summer switch. Far from it.
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