Antonio Fernández: Sevilla could have signed Vinicius rival Gianluca Prestianni and Sverre Nypan | OneFootball

Antonio Fernández says Sevilla came close to signing Sverre Nypan and Gianluca Prestianni during his second spell at the club. According to Estadio Deportivo, Prestianni is the Argentine forward who recently clashed with Vinicius Junior.

Monchi’s recruitment legacy at Sevilla is widely admired. Early Brazilian arrivals Julio Baptista and Dani Alves set the tone, followed by Frédéric Kanouté, Luis Fabiano, Andrés Palop, Carlos Bacca and Ever Banega, despite costly misses such as Rony Lopes and Quincy Promes.

The sporting director from San Fernando first led Sevilla’s transfers from April 2000 to March 2017, then returned in April 2019 after spells with AS Roma and Aston Villa. He left in June 2023 and now focuses on the management and presidency of CD San Fernando.

Fernández, now director of scouting at Talleres de Córdoba, previously headed Youth International Recruitment under Monchi. He was credited with helping unearth a young Dani Alves while the full back was emerging at EC Bahía.

On Nypan, Fernández said the Norwegian was a priority before his international breakout and reports on him were outstanding. A pilot project aimed at beating Europe’s giants was launched, yet technical details and market competition meant the move did not happen. Nypan is now part of the Manchester City group.

Prestianni, now at Benfica, was tracked exhaustively for months. Even so, Sevilla’s financial limits prevented a deal.

The near misses underline Sevilla’s intent to keep targeting elite young talent. With Patrick Mercado already secured, the club aims to echo past successes.

Source: La Colina De Nervion