Monchi confirms Douglas interest

Sevilla sporting director Monchi confirmed summer interest in Barcelona right-back Douglas, and touched on a number of other players, and his future.

Monchi was speaking at an event organised by Cadena Ser, Estadio Deportivo reports, and as well as commenting on individuals, offered some insight into Sevilla’s strategy in general.

“The market of Sevilla isn’t that of Barcelona. It’s normal that Barca would want to see players tested at other clubs,” he said when asked about the Catalans’ repeated purchases from Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

“Sevilla have 16 scouts. Throughout the year we make a complete list of players and in May we know who we want to sign.

“The Sevilla brand is related to a good economic contract, athletic performance and the chance to take a leap to a club like Barca.

“This summer the plan was to sign Douglas. We’d been impressed with him since he was in Brazil, he dazzled us all.

“I was surprised to see Sergi Roberto as a right-back but he is becoming a significant player. I’m surprised by his drives forward and his overlaps. He’s an important player.

“Ivan Rakitic is a top player and as a person he’s a 10. He’s been smart to adapt to Barca’s game. His level of commitment has always been high.

“Seydou Keita? He was our second choice. The first was [Kevin-Prince] Boateng but we couldn’t sign him. Keita adapted perfectly from the beginning.”

Monchi was also asked if it was accurate that Barca Presidential candidate Agusti Benedito approached him about moving to Camp Nou if he was successful in the summer elections.

“It’s true Benedito called me during the elections but I told him I wasn’t going to join,” he confirmed.

“[I told him that] my time at Sevilla wasn’t over.”

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