Moshiri makes a play for Monchi

31/05/2016

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Updated Everton are looking to lure Sevilla's much-lauded sporting director Monchi to Goodison Park according to a report, although he looks more likely to stay in Spain after Sevilla rejected his request to leave.

Matt Law in The Telegraph claims that while the chances of persuading the former goalkeeper to Merseyside are slim, the Blues will try anyway after he informed them of his desire to leave the Liga club for "personal reasons".

Monchi, full name Ramà³n Rodràguez Verdejo, has been credited as being the brains behind Sevilla's three successive Europa League titles, with head coach Unai Emery (also said to be high on Everton's shortlist to replace Roberto Martinez) steering the team to glory on the training pitch and the sidelines, but is believed to be looking for a new challenge.

Sevilla, however, have demanded that he honour his contract, which still has four years to run and refused to release him from his obligations. According to Spanish reports, it would cost an interested club €5m to trigger Monchi's escape clause but for now he has agreed to stay.

The 47-year-old will be in high demand and has already been talked about in terms of a potential hire for Barcelona or Manchester United, while Real Madrid are also reportedly eyeing him, although Spanish media have since poured cold water on this as well.

Reports out of Spain earlier suggested that Monchi might have been bound for Espanyol where he wanted to take up a fresh project of restoring that club's fortunes but Sevilla's stance could change things.