Sevilla president Jose Castro thought the club’s sporting director Monchi was ‘mad’ when he told him of his plans to sign Samir Nasri.
The president’s concerns stemmed from the Frenchman’s wages – thought to be in the region of £100,000 per week – rather than his lack of playing time at Manchester City.
"When Monchi told me that he was considering signing Nasri, I immediately thought he was mad. We simply couldn't afford him,” Castro told Cadena Cope.
"Nasri had limited playing time at Manchester City but has arrived here and he is having a starring role – Monchi has played a pivotal role but so has the club.
"We must be doing something right because there are players that have failed to succeed in other clubs but arrive at Sevilla and triumph.
"Our fans, our stadium and our city — we are all doing the right things. We just give them love and trust. They have joined a club that has won many titles and is respected in Europe."
"The players know that they are coming here to win, to succeed and to give their all for this club," Castro said. "We wants to win everything."
