Sevilla have taken the lead in the pursuit of Atalanta‘s Argentine midfielder Papu Gomez according to a report in Marca.
Monchi is currently in negotiations with the Italian club, with the deal expected to be completed in the next week. Julen Lopetegui is keen to incorporate a player who can break the lines, someone Sevilla have lacked since Ever Banega departed.
The economic conditions of the deal are yet to be agreed. Sevilla should recoup the €10-12m Gomez will cost by selling Carlos Fernandez to Real Sociedad, but the latter deal will be staggered until 2024 so the Andalusians will have to be smart with the fee they pay for the now-32-year-old playmaker.
Gomez himself is enthused to come to Seville, and has told his agent that the club are his first choice. He’s well adapted to Italian football but Atalanta are wary of strengthening a rival. The playmaker also had offers from MLS, but is intent on continuing to compete amongst Europe’s elite.
