The Sevilla midfielder turned down the chance to move to the Stadium of Light.
Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra has told Estadio Deportivo that Sunderland proposed a very good deal to him this summer.
The Black Cats were heavily linked with the midfielder in the summer transfer window as manager David Moyes sought to improve his squad.
Indeed, at one stage it appeared to be a done deal as talkSPORT reported that a deal had been agreed between the two parties.
However, the move did not come off as he ended up staying with the Europa League champions instead.
That was something of a blow to Sunderland, and the player has confirmed that they proposed a very good deal to both him and the La Liga side to secure his services.
“They were intense days. It was not easy,” he told Estadio Deportivo. “It was a very good deal for both parties, but I wanted to stay here. For me, money isn’t everything or the experience there.”
It now remains to be seen if Sunderland end up regretting their failure to tempt Iborra to the Stadium of Light this summer.
He would have added some much-needed quality and experience to their midfield this season and that could have proved vital in what could be another tough campaign.
Instead, they must now pray that deadline day capture Didier Ndong proves to be a suitable alternative to him.
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