Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi has offered an insight into West Ham United’s failed Youssef En-Nesyri pursuit, telling Diario de Sevilla that the Morocco international was never going to join a Premier League club on an initial loan deal.
Anyone tuning into Sevilla’s La Liga clash with Elche last weekend must have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Yes, you really were witnessing a convincing Sevilla win, not to mention quickfire a brace from the previously goalless Youssef En-Nesyri.
The spring-heeled former Leganes forward has always been a player prone to fits and bursts. From famine to feast and back again. But, even by his standards, going five months without a league goal and then scoring two in 20 minutes was ridiculous.
At his best, En-Nesyri is a menace for any La Liga backline; strong, quick, outstanding in the air and occasionally emphatic. That Man of the Match display against Elche – securing a massive three points in Sevilla’s shock relegation battle – was a reminder as to why he retains so many admirers across the continent.
West Ham United had bid rejected for Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri
According to Marca, West Ham wanted En-Nesyri on loan last month, offering to include a £17 million purchase clause in his contract. But Sevilla were never going to accept bids that would see the 25-year-old leave on an initial temporary basis.
“It is true that there have been offers from Germany, France and England. There were practically no permanent offers, but transfers with purchase options,” Monchi explains.
“Neither the club nor the player received offers that convinced us. They did not satisfy us.
“We continue to trust Youssef. He is happy at Sevilla. We are going to trust that they (our strikers) score goals again. With the coach’s (Jorge Sampaoli’s) way of playing, with the new systems, we think that they can do it.”
En-Nesyri was ‘incredible’ talent by David Moyes during Sevilla’s Europa League clash with West Ham last season. He even scored 24 times in 2020/21 alone. Since then, he has just 13 in 52 matches.
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