Aston Villa transfer chief Monchi emerges as a priority target for Sevilla | OneFootball

Aston Villa transfer chief and president of football operations Monchi is once again in the spotlight.

The 56-year-old has emerged as a priority target for his former club Sevilla, with the prospective new owners looking to take him back to Seville.

The investors, Antonio Lappi and Fede Quintero, are reportedly keen to reunite Monchi with Sevilla, after he helped shape the club into a European force across two spells.

Monchi was reportedly handpicked by Villa manager Unai Emery last year to oversee the club’s transfer operations.

The pair worked together at Sevilla during Emery’s two and a half year spell at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, where he led the club to three consecutive Europa League titles.

Together with director of football Damian Vidagany, Monchi has helped Villa to build a competitive squad that qualified for the Champions League under Emery’s leadership in 2023/24.

Monchi is renowned for his smart scouting and recruitment strategy. He is one of the most accomplished talent spotters in the game and has been key to Villa’s resurgence with Emery at the helm.

However, his former employers are dreaming about a potential comeback. The new investors are hoping to lure him back for a third stint if they can mount a successful takeover bid.

“Sevilla has achieved far more than its own capabilities,” Quintero said (via the Daily Mail).

“Its successes have a lot to do with Monchi, everything to do with him. He’s the most important person in the club’s history.

“He accounts for a large part of the success wherever he goes. We’re seeing it in Birmingham.

“At Roma, they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2018. When success accompanies you in everything you do, it’s not the success, it’s you.

“I have no idea if he’s going to come back. Yes, I want him back. I think every Sevilla fan wants him back.”

If their takeover bid is successful, Villa are unlikely to let Monchi leave without a fight, especially after just two years in the job.

For now, Monchi will remain focused on Villa’s summer transfer business as they look to build on their sixth placed finish.