Sevilla CONFIRM Newcastle transfer for Diego Carlos this month is off – but refuse to rule out summer move
SEVILLA chief Monchi confirmed that Newcastle’s January pursuit for Diego Carlos is over – but said a summer move could be possible.
The Brazilian defender, 28, handed in a transfer request to push a move through to Newcastle.
But the Spanish club rejected numerous bids as high as £32million from the Magpies as they failed to reach their £40m asking price.
Newcastle are now tracking Brighton’s Dan Burn and have gone in with another offer after their first of £10m was rebuffed by the Seagulls, who value the defender at £15m.
Carlos, 28, would have seen his wages tripled to £120,000-a-week and was keen on the move to Tyneside.
But Sevilla, who are fighting it out with Real Madrid for the La Liga title, held firm despite the Magpies' persistence.
And sporting director Monchi said: “The Newcastle offer was a good offer, a respectable offer.
“But the offer, our board and management team thought it wasn’t enough.
“It’s true that maybe it wasn’t the right time. It’s a difficult market to find a replacement for a player like Diego Carlos.
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“It’s a market that takes place over a very short period of time. Maybe if that offer comes along in the summer then things might have changed.
"With Newcastle, we have been correct with how it has been carried out. We even had video calls with them.
“The offer was a very good offer, a very respectable offer but not at the best possible time. We consider the negotiation finished.”
Speaking earlier today, Monchi also insisted that Carlos is happy to stay in Spain until the summer.
He added: “I was talking to Diego this morning and he’s happy. At the end of the day he’s staying here at his club, a club that really wanted him.
“If he was really angry then maybe he would have changed his opinion but he seems happy.”
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