Leverkusen and Everton join race for Sevilla's Juanlu as transfer saga heats up
Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga champions and Premier League strugglers Everton have entered the chase for Sevilla's versatile right-back, with Napoli still lurking in the background.
European heavyweights are circling around Sevilla’s Juanlu Sánchez, with Bayer Leverkusen and Everton now joining Napoli in the hunt for the Olympic champion’s signature this January.
Summer saga continues into winter
The 22-year-old right-back was at the center of one of last summer’s drawn-out transfer sagas, with Napoli emerging as his preferred destination. Sevilla’s sporting director Antonio Cordón even admitted the Italian club “tickled his fancy” - but the Italians never came close to meeting Sevilla’s €20 million valuation.
Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly offered the asking price, but Juanlu remained at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán when negotiations with Napoli collapsed.
New suitors emerge
According to reporting from Juan José Ponce in Estadio Deportivo, both Bayer Leverkusen and Everton are now considering winter moves for the versatile defender:
- Everton previously enquired about Juanlu in the summer and continue converting center-back Jake O’Brien into a right-back - suggesting they’re still searching for solutions in that position
- Bayer Leverkusen need right-sided reinforcement due to Lucas Vázquez’s fitness problems, having experimented with youngster Arthur and wingers like Jonas Hofmann and Ernest Poku in the role
The German champions already have a working relationship with Sevilla after splashing nearly €30 million on Loïc Badé in August.
Financial pressure mounting
Sevilla’s economic situation adds another dimension to the saga. The Andalusian club needs to generate approximately €10 million in capital gains before June 30th - and potentially more if they want to make January signings themselves.
This financial pressure could force Sevilla’s hand, though they’ll still try to hold out for something close to their €20 million valuation.
Meanwhile, Napoli remains interested as they continue searching for Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s replacement. The Italians are likely to maintain their waiting game, well aware of Sevilla’s economic constraints.
Player’s form
Juanlu’s performances have dipped compared to last season, but his market value remains steady at €15 million according to Transfermarkt. He’s featured in 16 matches this season, starting 13 and providing one assist.
Gaffer Matías Almeyda’s switch to a back-five system, sometimes using Carmona as the third center-back, has benefited the Montequinto-born wing-back, who showed signs of returning to form during Sevilla’s recent visit to the Santiago Bernabéu.