Geoffrey Kondogbia has drawn the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs over recent years, particularly since being in the spotlight for France at the U-20 World Cup. He scored the opening goal in France’s 3-1 win over Ghana and was named Man of the Match.
Kondogbia is a defensive midfielder and has earned caps at under-16, under-17, under-18 level and under-19 level for France, before representing them this summer at U-20 level.
Whilst Chelsea have long scouted the youngster and Jose Mourinho has become a fan since he joined Sevilla last year, both Arsenal and Manchester United have joined the race to sign him.
It will be a complicated deal for whichever club eventually manages to capture his signature though because of third-party ownership. The player is involved with the company that have just gone into partnership with David Beckham’s advisor, the Doyen Group. It is a firm of private equity investors who have been snapping up some of Europe’s hottest young talents who stumped up half of the £2.5m transfer fee to take Kondogbia from Lens to Sevilla.
Third-party ownership deals are permitted in many European countries but are strictly forbidden by the FA and Premier League.
One club has made a verbal offer of €9m (£7.7m) for the player this week but Sevilla haven’t named them.
17/6/12 – Geoffrey Kondogbia: “I would love to join the Premier League, but there is nothing concrete yet.”
17/4/13 – Jose Maria del Nido, Sevilla chief: “I love it when they talk about my players, but we aren’t going to say a word about transfers until the end of the season because we still have a chance of qualifying for Europe. If an offer in excess of €6m comes in for him, Sevilla would have to pay 50% of that offer or sell him.”
23/6/13 – Geoffrey Kondogbia: “I am flattered to be linked with Real Madrid. They are a top club, but Sevilla are fantastic for me at the moment. Chelsea are also a great team with a great manager, so let’s wait and see what will happen after the World Cup.”
29/6/13 – Jose Maria del Nido: “The bid wasn’t sufficient. The idea is that he continues growing here at Seville, just like he did last season. There exists an obligation that if a formal, written offer of over €6m arrives then we must accept it and sell him, or match it and keep half of his economic rights. But they haven’t done it in writing, which they must do.”