Sevilla confirm summer arrival of Ecuador midfielder Patrik Mercado | OneFootball

Sevilla have confirmed the summer arrival of Ecuador international midfielder Patrik Mercado, announcing the deal on Thursday ahead of next season.

Sevilla did not disclose terms. Marca reports that Sevilla saw off Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth, as well as Chelsea, and that the agreement with Independiente del Valle is valued at around €6m.

Mercado had been linked to Sevilla for months, with a January move initially floated. The club must create room within their salary limit and free a non-EU slot, which may have prevented a winter switch.

Marcao, Alexis Sanchez and Gabriel Suazo currently occupy Sevilla’s three non-EU places. Marcao is seeking Spanish citizenship, and it is said to be difficult for Sanchez to remain next season.

There are wider moving parts at the club, with Sergio Ramos and Eleven Capital in negotiations to buy Sevilla. The board will study any offer that arrives in the summer as they try to ease salary-limit issues.

A product of Independiente del Valle’s academy, Mercado has made 116 senior appearances, scoring 11 goals and supplying 13 assists. The 22-year-old delivered 11 assists and six goals from attacking midfield last year, and made his Ecuador debut in September, taking his tally to three caps. He has won the Copa Sudamericana and two Ecuadorian league titles with Independiente.

Source: Football Espana