Sevilla sporting director Oscar Arias says he was surprised to hear that midfielder Steven N’Zonzi wants to leave the La Liga club.
The Frenchman told France Football that he expects to leave the Spanish side after falling out with manager Eduardo Berizzo and his coaching staff, but speaking to AS yesterday, Arias said the player’s unhappiness was news to him:
“The statements of N’Zonzi surprised us. They caused a big surprise. The situation is not pleasant, but I think it will get better soon. The decision to leave does not belong to him. He is a player of Sevilla and in a month I do not know if he will still be here.“
N’Zonzi has a release clause of £35million so Arias’s comments that the club will decide his future are not entirely accurate. The 28 year old’s trip to London this week led to talk that he was in the capital to discuss a move to Arsenal or Everton.
The France international was however quick to clarify in the France Football interview that he was in the UK to visit his son, after he was not selected in the squad for last night’s Champions League game against Maribor.
N’Zonzi has not been selected by Sevilla since being substituted at half time in the 3-3 draw against Liverpool last month, and the player believes he was unfairly singled out for criticism by Berizzo and his coaches.
