La Liga Leaks: Sampaoli ‘committed to Sevilla’, 'N’Zonzi replacement' already lined up

Jorge Sampaoli knows he is the man of the moment in world football, with his name linked to various top jobs both in Spain and abroad, but the man himself refuses to get carried away with the fanfare surrounding his time at Sevilla. “To be the fashionable name [in football] can end quickly and tomorrow another coach will take his place. What I always value is to be at a place where I can implement an idea which makes us more credible. How long does that last? I don’t know, but I hope I we can be happy for a long time here.”

Sampaoli has found himself near the top of the lists for Barcelona, dependent on Luis Enrique’s future, as well as the Argentina job, one which he turned down in the summer. All of the previous comments came from his press conference ahead of Sevilla’s match with Osasuna on Sunday.

Monchi, another man of the moment, has been speaking about Steven N’Zonzi’s future in an interview with ‘Radio MARCA’. “N’Zonzi’s renewal is moving along, little by little, there’s work to be done but we hope it’ll reach a positive conclusion. I think he could still bring even more to the team.” The former Stoke man himself is wanted by sides in England, Spain and Italy.

In ‘Estadio Deportivo’ they speculate that Monchi has already lined up a potential replacement should N’Zonzi leave in the summer. That man is Lille’s Ibrahuim Amadou. The 23-year-old from Cameroon is seen as a like for like replacement for N’Zonzi, capable of making a difference at both ends of the pitch. Amadou wouldn’t come cheap as Lille rejected a €10m offer from Schalke in the summer and plenty of sides are monitoring his development.

‘SPORT’ are saying that Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have all received new terms to extend their stay at Barcelona. Of course, much of the week has been dominated by Lionel Messi’s renewal but that hasn’t stopped the club from looking to tie down other players who are keen to put pen to paper.

The offer on the table for Rakitic is to extend his stay to 2022 whilst also increasing his salary. It’s a similar situation for ter Stegen, seen as a member of the current squad but also one for future, and his new terms would also see him handed a five-year deal. As for Iniesta, who is already 33, the deal is different. Barcelona have proposed a rolling year contract until the player himself decides he wants to hang up his boots.

Unai Emery is looking to offload Jese Rodriguez this window so the young Spaniard can get regular playing time elsewhere. Las Palmas have been the frontrunners to take him on loan until the end of the season but sources in France say PSG have rejected the move for now because the LaLiga club are unable to cover Jese’s wages, so say ’Superdeporte‘.

Middlesbrough have recently signed Patrick Bamford but should Adama Traore leave then it would open up a space for Jese in Boro’s starting XI. Liverpool are reportedly keen but it doesn’t appear as if he’s a priority of theirs either. Valencia, or more so owner Peter Lim, are big fans of Jese and could offer him a return to Spanish shores.

Sticking with Valencia, it appears Chinese clubs are looking at their players this window. Enzo Perez would reportedly be willing to make the switch should an offer come in which satisfies both the club as well as himself. This comes off the back of Dani Parejo reportedly rejecting a move to China. Some would say these two stories coming out within a day of each other is mightily convenient.

Ronaldinho could be on the verge of a return to Barcelona.. Legends. The fun loving Brazilian has been in regular contact with the club and could even be offered the role of Ambassador, the same post currently held at Real Madrid by another Brazilian, Ronaldo.