Sevilla is in a pivotal moment. With financial pressure mounting and the need for squad rejuvenation pressing, the question who should Sevilla sell isn’t just speculative — it’s imperative. In this article, SaiKick will walk you through the candidates facing the exit door, the rationale behind each potential sale, and what Sevilla need to preserve as they rebuild.
The Financial Backdrop That Forces Sales
Sevilla’s books aren’t healthy. Reports suggest the club needs to raise more than €30–35 million this summer to balance the ledger. Without Europe’s bulk revenues or big commercial windfalls, the club must lean on the transfer market. Meanwhile, a few players are running high wages or low returns, making them logical candidates for departure.
The club has already moved on one sale: Loïc Badé completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen. That deal underscores the urgency in trimming the squad and generating revenue.
Balance sheets rarely lie — Sevilla can’t afford to keep underperformers or aging stars at premium rates.
Criteria for Choosing Who Leaves
Before naming names, here’s the lens I use:
- Underperformance relative to cost — big wages, little impact
- Contract length or low resale value — short-term deals or nearing expiry
- Squad redundancy — multiple players competing for same role
- Potential market interest — players with external demand
With this in mind, let’s examine Sevilla’s likely candidates.
Who Should Sevilla Sell: Top Candidates
Below is a breakdown by position of players who are most likely (or should) be sold.
Goalkeeper / Defensive Departures
- Ørjan Nyland — The veteran Norwegian is unlikely to be part of Sevilla’s long-term plans, especially with younger keepers waiting in the wings.
- César Azpilicueta — At 36 and nearing end of contract, Azpilicueta offers leadership, but his resale value is negligible. Sevilla may prefer promoting or acquiring a younger full-back.
- José Ángel Carmona — Linked with exit previously as part of Sevilla’s list of players to offload. The board has reportedly identified him among six players to be sold.
- Kike Salas — A young defender who may find more minutes elsewhere; offloading him could generate funds without deeply weakening the core.
Midfield / Wing Departures
- Dodi Lukebakio — Perhaps the most intriguing name. Sevilla has reportedly set a €40 million asking price. Lukebakio’s technical ability and age make him a hot commodity, and selling him could finance multiple reinforcements.
- Rubén Vargas — It’s reported he could be forced out only months after joining, due to fiscal and registration constraints.
- Joan Jordán / Nemanja Gudelj — Both are aging and on substantial wages. Sevilla might look to refresh the midfield with younger, more dynamic profiles.
- Adnan Januzaj — A fringe figure whose departure would free salary space and open room for academy or younger signings.
Attack / Forward Departures
- Isaac Romero — Identified in Sevilla’s list of six exit candidates. Sevilla may bet more on Akor Adams and emerging forwards.
- Alexis Sánchez — While his leadership is important, his age and declining output make the Chilean a possible candidate for departure sooner than later.
- Chidera Ejuke — Peripheral in influence; freeing him could create flexibility for new attacking signings.
Who Should Sevilla Not Sell
While trimming the squad is necessary, some assets should stay:
- Akor Adams — With goal-scoring potential, Sevilla should cling to him as a future focal point in attack.
- Lucien Agoumé / Batista Mendy — Young and versatile midfielders who can grow into starters.
- José Ángel Carmona (if retained) — His age and defensive potential make him a possible pillar if not sold. Sevilla may choose to keep one of their younger defenders rather than offload them all.
- Joan Jordán — Though aging, his experience is valuable; his departure should only be considered in a broader midfield rebuild.
Strategic Sequence: Phasing the Sales
The order matters. My recommendation:
- Lukebakio → highest resale potential; priority
- Rubén Vargas / Januzaj → fringe players, easier to move
- Azpilicueta / Gudelj → toward end of contract
- Romero / Salas / Carmona → last, depending on buyer interest
By leading with marquee names, Sevilla signal ambition while creating breathing room for squad surgery.
Risks & Caveats
- Over-selling defensively could leave the squad unbalanced
- Relying too heavily on academy may yield inconsistency
- If player sales fail, Sevilla may find themselves in a weaker competitive state
Thus, it’s essential that sales are paired with smart acquisitions or youth promotion.
Conclusion
Who should Sevilla sell isn’t a hypothetical — it’s one of the club’s most pressing questions. To stabilize its finances and reset its roster, Sevilla should prioritize high-value sales like Dodi Lukebakio, offload fringe or aging players such as Rubén Vargas, Azpilicueta, Januzaj, and Isaac Romero, while holding onto foundational youth like Akor Adams and Lucien Agoumé.
Now, SaiKick invites you: which sales would you push for? Stay tuned for more transfer deep dives, player profiles, and Sevilla’s journey through this rebuild.
