Man United transfers: Sevilla starlet who could replace Evra

Sevilla academy product Alberto Moreno has been a revelation for Sevilla this season, making the left-back berth his own at the Sanchez Pizjuan. It’s no surprise, then, that bigger teams are showing an interest and talkSPORT’s Transfer Spotlight has more on the Andalucian…

Name: Alberto Moreno Perez
Date of birth: 5 July, 1992
Born: Seville
Position: Left-back
Club: Sevilla
International appearances: One Spain cap
Honours: 2013 U21 European Championship

What’s the latest?
Moreno was the subject of interest from Real Madrid last summer, but he soon quashed it by signing a new deal keeping him at Sevilla until 2018, and features a significant buyout clause believed to be €30m (£25m). Stories this week claim Manchester United are considering making an offer for him in the winter transfer window, while Chelsea were also linked with him earlier in the season. A sale could be difficult, however, as the Andalucian side have no need to sell, and are notoriously strict when it comes to demanding buyout clauses.

Did you know?

1) A product of the Sevilla academy that has produced the likes of Jesus Navas and Jose Antonio Reyes, Moreno was originally a defensive or central midfielder, but was converted into a left-back earlier this year.

2) Moreno had been playing in Sevilla’s B team in the Spanish third division until recently. He was handed his senior debut in early 2012, making a brief cameo appearance against Athletic Bilbao, but remained a Sevilla Athletic player thereafter, training with the first team occasionally.

3) Manager Unai Emery had the brainwave of converting Moreno into a left-back following the boss' arrival at Sevilla in January 2013 after watching him in training. Emery did a similar thing with Jordi Alba at Valencia, and Moreno’s trajectory in recent months has been in many ways similar to the Barcelona man's. Moreno’s final game with Sevilla’s B team came on the 3 February 2013, and six days later he was playing against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu for the first team.

4) Things quickly snowballed for Moreno, and by March he had made his Spain U21 debut. He finished the 2012/13 La Liga season with 15 appearances in the competition, then went on to play four of Spain’s five games during their victorious U21 European Championship in Israel.

5) Moreno’s stock has continued to rise this season, with 18 appearances in all competitions to his name already. Most notably, he was called up to Spain's senior squad by Vicente del Bosque in October 2013, and was handed his debut in a 2-0 win against Georgia in World Cup qualifying.

What is being said?
They say:
“He’s the prototype of the modern full-back. He has great technique, is direct, quick, and overloads the flanks.”
- Sevilla sporting director Monchi on Moreno

“After a summer in which Moreno was already in Real Madrid’s orbit, and the news of Chelsea’s interest in him a few weeks ago, now it is Manchester United that are making the biggest noise. [President] Del Nido has insisted however that Sevilla have no need to sell, and Moreno could only leave if someone paid his €30m buyout clause.”
- Sevilla based paper Estadio Deportivo on Moreno’s future

Video evidence

Man United fans, what do you think of Alberto Moreno? Who would you like to eventually replace Patrice Evra? Let us know below...