Diego Carlos opens up on failed Newcastle United transfer - and why he stayed at Sevilla

Sevilla defender Diego Carlos has revealed he was “always very calm” as Newcastle United made a number of unsuccessful attempts to take him to St James Park.
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The Brazilian centre-back was one of the Magpies key targets during the January transfer window as they looked to boost their hopes of remaining in the Premier League.

Carlos and Lille’s highly-rated defender Sven Botman were both the subject of prolonged interest from United - and NewcastleWorld understands that interest remains strong with more bids likely to be made this summer.

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There had been speculation Carlos had handed in a transfer request as United ramped up their interest - but he revealed he reassured the La Liga title challengers they could “safely count” on him if a move to Tyneside failed to come to fruition.

‘Nothing ever happened in my head nor did I go crazy with the situation’

In an interview given to ABC Sevilla, he has: “I was always very calm, I have a commitment, my contract here at Sevilla.

“Nothing ever happened in my head nor did I go crazy with the situation. With everything that was talked about, I was working and competing, I think I did well.

“I told the coach that he could safely count on me because my head was at Sevilla, it is a club that opened doors for me and to them, I will be grateful all my life.

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“At Sevilla, I am growing every day, being a more mature and confident player.”

‘If they reached an agreement and it turned out to be positive for me, fine’

Carlos also addressed talk that he was set for a significant increase in his weekly wage if he agreed to move to the Premier League for the first time in his career.

“I was very calm, I spoke directly with my agent and I didn’t want to hear anything that wasn’t true,” he explained.

“For those things there were trustworthy people who do that job.

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“If they reached an agreement and it turned out to be positive for me, fine, but since nothing concrete came to me that could make me leave Sevilla, at all times I was calm.

“I feel very good at the club, I’m very happy to be here.

“I will continue to do my best because football is like that, today you are there and tomorrow you are not, and now I am, so we will see what will happen.”

‘They are building a project’

With transfer talk put aside for the time being, Carlos will now focus on trying to help Sevilla land their first La Liga title since 1946.

The Andalusian giants are currently sat in second place in the table - four points behind current leaders Real Madrid.

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Carlos revealed that the fact his side are performing so well was a big factor in his relaxed view over the failed move to Newcastle.

He said: “We know about the history of Newcastle, it is a team that is fighting not to drop out of the Premier League.

“They are building a project with the billionaire, who has bought them, who wants to make (them) a well-known club in a few years, but here we are very well classified and we play one of the best leagues in the world, against great teams.

“Sevilla have a very strong name around the world, the team is doing well… I talked to Monchi and told him to be calm, that if they want me here, I’m going to do my best because I owe the club a lot.

“We came to an agreement that I would stay.”

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