Sevilla braced for big money bids for their star players

Pablo Sarabia

Sevilla are preparing for a summer of transfer speculation over their top players, after a strong finish to the 2018-19 La Liga season.

Interim manager Joaquin Caparros confirmed earlier this week that he would be leaving the club, after leading them to a fifth place finish and another Europa League qualification spot.

The club will look to appoint a new permanent boss as soon as possible, with links to former AS Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco and Alaves’ Head Coach Asier Garitano.

However, whichever manager they appoint, one of their first tasks is likely to be warding off transfer interest in the players that have excelled under Caparros in the back end of 2018-19.

The future of Andre Silva, who has enjoyed an overall positive time at the Estadio Ramon Sancehz Pizjuan, needs to be decided.

The Portuguese international started the season in excellent form, but after the exit of Pablo Machin he was used sparingly by Caparros – but the new manager must decide whether or not to take up his loan-to-buy option from Serie A side AC Milan.

If Silva does leave the club, then retaining star players Wissan Ben Yedder and Pablo Sarabia becomes even more important.

Ben Yedder enjoyed his highest scoring season in 2018-19, with 29 goals in all competitions, including 18 in La Liga.

That sort of form is always likely to attract attention, and FC Barcelona are reported to be lining the French international up as a back up plan if their push for Antoine Griezmann fails to materialise.

Sarabia netted 12 goals from out wide – the highest return for a La Liga midfielder in 2018-19 – and his consistent threat and pace on the counter attack has also led to admiring glances from other sides in Spain and across Europe.

Both players have three years to run on their contracts, and Sevilla would push for a maximum price for both players should they look to sell.

However their partnership has been a key feature for Sevilla in the past three seasons, and an exit for one would upset the balance in the side and cause problems for the new manager.

One deal that the club are expected to make in the coming weeks is the return of defender Alberto Moreno, as his contract expires with Liverpool.

The Spanish international played for Sevilla from 2011 to 2014, making 62 appearances, and winning the Europa League in 2014.

Do you have what it takes to challenge the best La Liga Fantasy Managers? If you’re up for the challenge then play www.liga-fantasy.com now!

To leave a comment, you must be logged into www.eurofantasyleague.com