Sevilla reject Newcastle’s ‘insufficient’ offer for Diego Carlos

Sevilla have ended negotiations with Newcastle over Diego Carlos and do not expect the central defender to depart during the transfer window. Final conversations between the clubs were held three days ago, with Newcastle's offer rejected because it was insufficient and Sevilla would not have been able to replace him adequately at short notice.

Sevilla's sporting director, Monchi, admitted that had the offer arrived in the summer it might have been different, but he considers this market closed. The only way Newcastle could sign Diego Carlos now would be to pay his €70 million buyout clause. Monchi said the defender was happy at Sevilla and the captain, Ivan Rakitic, insisted: "Sometimes it is a big opportunity but Diego and other players know what they have here."

Monchi, speaking during a conference call set up by La Liga, said: "The offer was very important, respectful, but it was an offer that our board considered insufficient. It is also true that it was maybe not the best time. It's a difficult market in which to find a replacement for him. If the offer had come in the summer, things may have been different. Jules [Koundé] is a magnificent player and I would say the same about Diego Carlos. I think he is one of the top five central defenders in Europe."

Monchi added: “I was talking to Diego Carlos this morning and he was happy,” then joked: “Given how strong he is, if he wasn’t I might have had to change my mind.

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‘Holiday’

“I want to go on holiday as soon as this call is over so if there are no signings while we’re talking, it’s finished. You never know – for as long as it is open, anything can happen – but our idea is that the market is over.”

Rakitic acknowledged the Premier League was "a dream for a lot of players" but said: "Sevilla have grown, and that is seen in [Anthony] Martial joining us. This is a big club that can compete for everything and they know that too. For Diego and others this is a big opportunity to see Martial come here. Players don't need to leave to be at a big club. Now they're at a big club already. They know what they have here. I want players to be happy, have fun. A few jokes and Diego can be 100 per cent, I am sure."

Newcastle are continuing talks with Lyon with a view to finalising a deal to buy the defensive midfielder Bruno Guimarães. Payments terms and add-ons are being discussed, with the player keen on a move to St James’ Park.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are in talks with Wolves over a move for Adama Traoré as they try to beat Tottenham to the signing of the Spain international. Spurs ended last week confident of landing Traoré, but they are in danger of losing out to Barcelona, where the 26-year-old started his career.

Option to buy

Details of any transfer to Barcelona are being discussed. Barcelona want to take Traoré on loan with an option to buy, whereas Wolves would prefer such a deal to include an obligation to purchase him. With Traoré holding out for a move to the Camp Nou, talks are continuing to see whether a solution can be found.

Traoré had been keen on joining Spurs, but the club’s failure to close a deal and the emergence of interest from Barcelona have changed the picture. The Catalan club are ready to cover his full salary.

Traoré will not extend his contract beyond the end of next season at Wolves, who rejected an opening £15 million offer from Spurs. The Wolves manager, Bruno Lage, would like to keep him until the summer, but the club are ready to strike a deal that meets their demands.

Traoré joined the Barcelona youth setup and made his way via the B team to a first-team debut in 2013, but he left for Aston Villa in 2015 after only four appearances. He can play as a winger or wing-back.

– Guardian