Sevilla’s director of football Monchi has insisted it wasn’t weird for him to turn down a mega offer from Manchester City for Jules Koundé in the last window.
City were heavily linked with the French defender throughout the summer transfer window, making a €55m bid as Pep Guardiola looked to add a centre back to his squad.
Ultimately a deal didn’t happen, with City instead electing to spend their money on Ruben Dias at Benfica.
That was mainly due to Sevilla’s reluctance to let Koundé go, with the Spanish club believing the centre-back was worth more than Manchester City were willing to pay.
Monchi has now doubled down on that stance, saying he had to take the player’s future valuation into consideration.
“Not strange (rejecting the bid),” he told El Desmarque.
“We felt or did what we thought was fair and in defence of the interests of the club, also in an ambitious way, because many people would have chosen to accept that offer.
“We value pros and cons and believe in the player, that has been key. We believe in the projection of a 21-year-old boy with a lot of ground to make up.
“Perhaps it was not what he was worth, because possibly that offer was close to what he was worth at that moment; also we have to think about what he can be worth.”
Unlike many players in his situation, Koundé elected to stay calm, ignoring the persistent rumours about a potential move.
He openly admitted that a move to Manchester City would be great, but was also happy to stay at Sevilla and continue his development there.
It meant at no point did he push for the move to the Eithad, something Monchi was keen to praise him for.
“He has been professional. Sometimes we are so used to seeing less professional behaviour that we are struck by the normal,” he added.
“He has accepted with normality that he has signed a contract, with a clause and some emoluments.
“I appreciate that because it’s always easier when the other party understands your position.
“He has had a professional and respectful behaviour with the club that has given him the opportunity to take another step in his career.”
