Sevilla director of sport Monchi has revealed the UEFA Europa League winners are on the verge of completing a deal for Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta.
Kakuta, 23, spent last season on loan at Rayo Vallecano, where he scored five goals in 35 league appearances for Los Franjirrojos.
The 23-year-old’s performances reportedly caught the eye of several top European clubs, but Monchi is confident Sevilla can get a deal done in the near future.
“The deal is quite close, although nothing has been closed yet,” Monchi said. “Talks with Chelsea and the player are at an advanced stage so I’m feeling quite optimistic that it will go through.”
However, Monchi is less confident–but is remaining optimistic–that the Sevillistas can secure the signing of FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk forward Yevhen Konoplyanka this summer.
Monchi added: “It’s complicated. There are a lot of ifs and buts, and we’re facing stiff competition from other clubs.
“He’s got strong ties to Dnipro and doesn’t want to leave them in the lurch.
“A lot of clubs are chasing him but the Sevilla brand name will give us an increased chance.
“But being completely objective, it’s not going to be easy at all.”
Wilshere wants Arsenal stay
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has played down speculation linking him with a summer move to Manchester City by insisting he would never go to a club simply because he is a home-grown player.
Following the summer exits of Frank Lampard (New York City FC), James Milner (Liverpool) and Micah Richards (unattached), City are below the quota of ‘home-grown’ players, which explains the club’s interest in Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Wilshere.
However, speaking ahead of England’s trip to Slovenia, Wilshere said, “I definitely wouldn’t go somewhere just because I’m a home-grown player. I’d want to be wanted by a club, I want to be wanted by Arsenal.
“I’ve grown up at Arsenal. As long as Arsenal want me, I’m happy.”
Wilshere, 23, tallied two goals and two assists in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners in 2014/15.
Emmanuel-Thomas signs for QPR
Former Arsenal winger Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will join Queens Park Rangers when his Bristol City contract expires on 30 June.
Emmanuel-Thomas, 24, helped Bristol City secure promotion to the Championship by scoring 12 goals for the club last term.
“This is a new chapter for me and I can’t wait to get started here,” Emmanuel-Thomas told the club’s official website.
“As soon as I spoke to Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey and they explained the way they want QPR to play, it was an easy decision for me.
“I’m here to come in and do a job and I’m confident I can keep improving as a player.”
Emmanuel-Thomas will sign a three-year deal with the Super Hoops on 1 July.
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