Monchi justifies shunning a big-money summer move for Jules Kounde, suggesting it wasn’t the right time to let go of the prized asset.
After constantly being let down by their defense during the 2019/20 season, Manchester City had made it a priority in the previous transfer window to reinforce their backline.
Nathan Ake was signed from Bournemouth, but the Premier League side were not content with the acquisition of just one defender.
Pep Guardiola’s search for a more acclaimed center-back led them to Jules Kounde, who had been a vital presence in the Sevilla team for their sixth Europa League success.
An offer in the region of €70 million was reportedly put on the Spanish team’s table for Kounde by the Sky Blues, only to see it get turned down.
Had the transfer gone through, it would have marked the biggest sale in Sevilla’s history. However, despite the offer being substantial, the club director insists it still fell short of the 21-year-old’s valuation.
Monchi told El Desmarque: “We did what we thought was fair and in defense 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.
“Despite being a magnificent offer, very, very good, it did not satisfy the requests or what we thought of the player.
“Perhaps it was not what he was worth, because possibly that offer was close to what he was worth at that moment but we also have to think about what he can be worth [in the future].”
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