"We feel deceived": Sevilla breaks off sale agreement with Sergio Ramos

The agreement for the sale of Sevilla to the investment group led by Sergio Ramos has collapsed. The final offer presented by the World Cup winner was significantly lower than the value previously agreed upon on May 12, causing strong dissatisfaction among the Andalusian club's shareholders, according to El País.

"The deal blew up and is broken," revealed a Sevilla source present at the decisive meeting held this Wednesday morning in the Andalusian capital. The initial agreement stipulated the acquisition of 80% of the club's shares for 450 million euros, after deducting 88 million in recognized debt.

However, Ramos's group introduced substantial modifications to the plan. The new proposal involved purchasing only 30,000 shares, instead of the agreed 86,000, followed by a capital increase that would grant them a 42% shareholder stake. "We were stunned because he wanted to buy Sevilla for just 100 million euros. To make a capital increase of just over 80 million and pay shareholders only 18 million," the same source explained, expressing the selling party's displeasure.

The feeling of betrayal is palpable, especially after a lengthy negotiation process. Sergio Ramos's group had been the favorite to acquire the club since December 31, having signed a preference agreement with the main shareholders that allowed for an exhaustive audit of the club's accounts for nearly five months. "We feel deceived by these five months," club sources stated.

Despite persistent doubts about the financial robustness of Ramos's offer, which promised 3,200 euros per share, his group consistently defended its capability, even presenting payment guarantees with the backing of an influential Mexican family from Monterrey at the last meeting.

With the collapse of negotiations, Sevilla has ruled out resuming talks with the former footballer's group, who, interestingly, has not yet officially announced his retirement. The shareholders, now deeply discontent, are already focusing on planning for the next season and have revealed other investment fund proposals for the club's acquisition.

Thus, the current management structure is expected to remain in place, with José María del Nido Carrasco as executive president, Luis García Plaza as coach, and José Ignacio Navarro as sporting director, succeeding Antonio Cordón. It's worth noting that before negotiating with Ramos, Sevilla's shareholders had already rejected three other purchase offers, one of which came from prestigious local businessmen. The club has been battling to avoid relegation from LaLiga for three consecutive seasons.