Monchi turned down an offer from Arsenal in order to return to Sevilla, he said on Monday, adding that he had not been approached by Real Madrid.

After leaving Roma earlier this month, Monchi had been linked with a move to the Gunners as a replacement for departed head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.

But Sevilla announced his return as their sporting director at the weekend and, speaking at a news conference on Monday, he said: "I thank Arsenal for their interest.

"It has been the club that has...

Sevilla have announced the return of sporting director Monchi to the Spanish club after his two-year spell at Roma ended earlier this month.

Monchi had been linked with taking up a similar position at Arsenal as a replacement for the departed Sven Mislintat but instead returns to Sevilla, who announced in a club statement that he will be presented to the media on Monday and officially begin work on April 1.

The 50-year-old had worked closely with former Sevilla coach Unai Emery, who is now in charge...