ABC de Sevilla are today reporting that La Liga side Sevilla are in negotiations with Swansea City about signing midfielder Roque Mesa on a permanent basis.
The 28 year-old joined the Swans last Summer from Las Palmas for a fee of around £11m, but it was a move that didn’t work out as he struggled to make any impact in the Premier League under former boss Paul Clement.
Shortly after Clement’s sacking and Carlos Carvalhal’s arrival, Mesa joined Sevilla on loan for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.
Mesa initially struggled back in his home country, but he later earned a first-team place and following the confirmation this week of Pablo Machin’s appointment as their new coach, reports say that the club are keen to sign the holding midfielder.
If reports of an €8m (£7m) initial fee are accurate, then the Swans would initially lose £4m on the £11m they paid Las Palmas, but a further £1.75m could be earned in add-ons.
Mesa’s attitude and application was questioned during his time at Swansea City, but Sevilla have no doubts about that. Paco Gallardo, the deputy to Sevilla’s football director said:
“The attitude that Roque Mesa has had with us has been splendid.
It fulfils all the profiles we want. A player with desire, with hope, humble, with quality.
Footballers with these characteristics are the ones we want to have in our side. We would like him to be with us, but it is something that is still to be finalised.
Once the coach is here, we will be able to continue advancing in the remaining matters so that Roque (Mesa) can be a Sevilla player.”
It’s a shame to see yet another hopeful signing struggle and prove to be a flop. Mesa did show signs of promise but it was clear that neither Paul Clement or Carlos Carvalhal were convinced by him enough to play him. Borja Baston is another expensive signing that hasn’t paid off, the striker who spent last season at relegated La Liga side Malaga is reported to be going back out on loan next season.
