Sevilla have reportedly set a deadline on Monday for sporting director Monchi to make a decision over his future, amid rumours of a move to join Aston Villa.
Speculation has been rife that the 54-year-old has emerged as the latest target for Villa as we look to make an important appointment this summer to bolster our management infrastructure.
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While it isn’t yet clear the specific role that Monchi would take up, it’s likely to be either a sporting or technical director position, one that Mateu Alemany had been in talks over before eventually deciding to remain at Barcelona.
Villa have seemingly switched their attention elsewhere in Spain, with Marca reporting that we’re looking to potentially appoint Monchi, and that Sevilla have in turn started their search for a successor to fill the role once he has departed.
Marca have since added that Sevilla have set a Monday deadline for his decision, as ultimately all parties concerned need to understand how the situation will play out sooner rather than later so subsequent plans can be made.
It’s also noted in that report that Monchi has asked to leave the club but there is conflict over the potential payment of his release clause, but the suggestion is that he will indeed opt to move on this summer and start a new project elsewhere.
Should that touted deadline hold up, it will be good for Villa to get a clearer picture of the situation just days before the transfer window opens for the summer, and it does feel as though this is the missing piece that we’re waiting for prior to ramping up our activity in the market.
Monchi, should he arrive, will play a pivotal role in supporting Unai Emery to strengthen and upgrade the squad, and ultimately making us increasingly competitive and raising the level again.
It makes sense to wait for that move to materialise first to have the management pieces in place, and then discussions and deals can be done with all concerned in the building and sharing the same vision for how they want to build this Villa squad.
It’s hoped that we do get an answer on Monday as touted, and hopefully it’s good news in terms of Monchi’s departure and likely arrival at Villa, as Emery will know him well from their previous experience of working alongside each other and it’s hoped that they can bring similar success to our club moving forward too.