Sevilla FC continues to shape its squad for the upcoming season. The Almerian defender Rubén Duarte, former Alavés and currently at Pumas, is one of the options being considered by the sports management.
The new sports director of Sevilla FC, José Ignacio Navarro, and coach Luis García Plaza are clear that strengthening the defence is a priority. Following the signings of Jon Guridi, Juan Iglesias, Arouna Sangante, and the return of Vlachodimos, the Seville club is now focusing on Rubén Duarte, a familiar face for the Madrid-born coach.
According to this newspaper, the name of the Almerian defender has been put on the table of the sports management as a viable option to reinforce the defence. Duarte played alongside García Plaza at Deportivo Alavés, where he was an undisputed starter and even became one of the team captains. His versatility, being able to play both as a centre-back and left-back, fits perfectly into the Sevilla coach's system.
The García Plaza factor, key in the operation
The relationship between Luis García Plaza and Rubén Duarte goes beyond the professional. The Madrid coach already demonstrated in Vitoria that he fully trusts the player, and his presence on the Sevilla bench could be decisive in finalising the transfer. Duarte, 30 years old, has extensive experience in LaLiga, having played 231 matches with Alavés and 45 with Espanyol, the club where he was trained.
Currently, the defender plays for Pumas in Liga MX, where he arrived in 2024. In Mexico, he has played 73 matches, with a record of three goals and four assists. His market value, according to Transfermarkt, is around 2.3 million euros, and he has a contract in force for one more season. However, the possibility of returning to Spain and reuniting with García Plaza could tip the scales.
Necessary departures to make space
For the operation to materialise, Sevilla FC needs to free up space in defence. The club is working on several departures, including Tanguy Nianzou, who could move to Lille, and Cardoso and Gattoni, who are not in the coach's plans. Additionally, the potential departure of Oso, who can also play as a left-back, would further open the door for Duarte's arrival.
The transfer market for Sevilla FC is intense, and Luis García Plaza's role is key in assembling the squad. The coach wants to surround himself with players he trusts and who have experience in Spanish football, as he did with the signing of Jon Guridi. Rubén Duarte, with his versatility and knowledge of the coach, is shaping up to be a reliable reinforcement for the Sevilla defence.
The club has not officially confirmed the interest, but sources close to the negotiation assert that Duarte's name is on the table. The Sevilla fans, eager for market movements, hope that the operation will be finalised in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Sevilla continues to work on departures to make room for new signings.
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