La Liga talent spotter discusses future of flop who is being eyed by Newcastle United
By Liam Kennedy
Published 8th Oct 2019, 12:07 BST
Updated 8th Oct 2019, 13:07 BST
Reported Newcastle United target Rony Lopes has NOT been a failure at Sevilla – well, not yet anyway.
That’s the view of sporting director Monchi, widely regarded as Europe’s best talent spotter.
Former Manchester City man Lopes was snapped up for around £23million in the summer from AS Monaco, but has managed just 11 minutes in La Liga so far this season.
The Portugal international was a reported target of Newcastle in the summer, but a move failed to materialise. It’s understood they would be keen to revisit the deal in the future.
But Monchi is refusing to brand Lopes a flop, just yet.
“If I have to be upset that Rony Lopes does not play, it would be with me, not with the coach,” he said.
“It’s too early to say I was wrong. If they don't work in the end, the only culprit is me. I’m not looking for an excuse.”