Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli claims Monchi “will have to disguise himself as one of three wise men” in January but is confident “he has a surprise up his sleeve”.
Press speculation has turned to Monchi’s efforts in the transfer market next month after links between the sporting director and Roma were quashed, and Sampaoli is backing the 48-year-old to deliver.
“Monchi will have to disguise himself as one of the three wise men,” the Coach said at a Press conference for Saturday’s Andalusian derby against Malaga in La Liga.
“We’re continually talking with him to see if we’re able, in a very difficult market, to improve a squad that have done very well.
“I’m confident in the ability of our sporting director, that he has a surprise up his sleeve.
“We will try to ask as much as we can, but sometimes the wise men have to be fair.
“A goalscorer is priceless and less so in a market where no-one will let their best players go. It’ll be difficult.
“I don’t think there’ll be many moves, except one or two. It’ll be a very difficult market, many players have already played in the Champions League, so it’s very difficult for them to leave their clubs.
“We’re very happy with the squad but, if there was any possibility, we’d welcome any leap in quality.
“Malaga? The idea is to finish the year well, trying to pick up points at home in order to be near the top, while being aware of Malaga’s difficulty.
“Leicester in the Champions League? Any team would have been difficult yet we’ve been dealt the Premier League champions, who can harm us if we don’t concentrate.
“They have very quick strikers. It’s going to be a very nice for us tie and our rivals are sure to be very difficult.
“We never imagined to be where we are right now, it makes me very happy to be a point behind Barcelona but it’ll be very difficult and hard to sustain this competitive level and position. We’ll have to work a lot.
“Sevilla the new Atleti? Atletico showed signs of being able to stay in a place that’s very difficult to reach. We’ve arrived at that place, but to stay there will be very difficult.”
