Óscar Arias, Sevilla FC sporting director

First team

ÓSCAR ARIAS: “WE ONLY NEED A LEFT-BACK TO COMPLETE THE SQUAD”

02/08/2017

Although the Sporting Director points out that there could always be “a transfer opportunity that we consider interesting enough”

The Sevilla FC Sporting Director, Óscar Arias, made it clear that the squad is pretty much complete apart from reinforcing the “left-back position”. This was confirmed during Jesús Navas' presentation as a new Sevilla FC player, where he didn't deny that there could be another departure, “because you never know” or indeed another signing “if the right opportunity emerges in the transfer market”.

“Now what we are left with, numerically speaking”, explained Arias, “is a left-back position in which we only have Escudero and it's the position we would like to cover in order to practically complete the squad. Unless at some point, as is always the case, there is an option which may interest us or an opportunity in the transfer market that could emerge and we consider it interesting enough. But with that, the squad is pretty much complete”.

"Bringing in a third striker to have one more option numerically... it isn't necessary"

In fact, asked specifically about the striker position, Óscar Arias denied that reinforcing it was a priority: “We have two very good strikers and two other players in the youth ranks, Carlos Fernández y Marc Gual, who are a very good level. Bringing a third striker in just to have one more option numerically... Normally one plays, another is on the bench and leaving a third to sit in the stands isn't necessary. Both Carlos and Marc have earned an opportunity themselves”.

Speaking on potential departures, Arias insisted on the same idea: “You never know what can happen. You hear many things, but the reality is that, at the moment, we don't see any more players leaving. The squad is pretty much complete. If someone were to leave, someone would come in, as has been the case on previous occasions”.

Diego González's departure from Sevilla Atlético was another topic which came to the fore: “We are considering it, and there's a possibility he will go to Málaga or another team. He's a player with potential who, at this point in time, would have few opportunities for game time with the squad. And if there's a club showing an interest in him and he has the opportunity to play in the first team, it's important because it helps us evaluate the player and would help him continue his growth. Of course, we have to respect his choice”.