Patrick Mercado case, Sevilla open squad slot as uncertainty grows over his future | OneFootball

Sevilla’s recruitment has accelerated under Antonio Cordón, with targets including Patrick Mercado, Arouna Sangante, Juan Iglesias and Marius Marin, who appears close. Fresh uncertainty surrounds Mercado after a serious knee injury, just as a non-EU place has opened.

According to Diario de Sevilla, despite a previously announced preliminary agreement with Independiente del Valle worth six million euros, the club will not assume responsibilities for a player who is not yet legally theirs. The deal will hinge on his recovery and medicals in the Andalusian capital.

Brazilian centre-back Marcao has now secured Spanish nationality, freeing a non-EU slot. The quota had been filled by Gabriel Suazo, Alexis Sánchez and Marcao, who was deregistered in January due to a long-term injury. His squad place went to Neal Maupay.

That vacancy had looked destined for the Ecuadorian playmaker Patrick Mercado of Independiente del Valle. He has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee, ruling him out of the next World Cup and putting the six million euros agreement at serious risk. The setback complicates Sevilla’s plans.

Mercado is set to miss six to 12 months. Sevilla’s technical department must weigh whether to honour the commitment or move to other targets, given the size of the outlay for a player whose condition will be uncertain on return.

Source: La Colina De Nervion