Atletico Madrid forward Jose Antonio Reyes has confirmed that he has asked coach Diego Simeone to help transfer him to Sevilla
Simeone has just taken over the reins at Vicente Calderon and had previously spoken of his desire to keep the former Arsenal player at the club. However, Reyes insists his mind is made up and he is determined to return to the club where he started his career.
“I’ve spoken to Diego Simeone to ask him to facilitate my move to Sevilla,” the 28-year-old told AS. “[He did talk to me] but I had already decided to go. I have to be honest with Atleti because my head is elsewhere. Sevilla give me the opportunity to go home. It’s an opportunity on the table that might not come around again and I want to take it. I think it’s the best thing for my career and this is the right moment to make the move.”
Reyes also made it a point to state that he harboured no ill feelings towards Atletico and its fans, rather he simply just wanted to go back home to Seville.
“[Atletico Madrid] is a fantastic club and I am very grateful to the fans, to all the staff and the owners, who have treated me wonderfully. But I left Sevilla when I was very young and I think that this is the moment to return home because it is also the best thing for my family. My father had an operation a few weeks ago and the best thing for everyone is to go back to Utrera. Sevilla are giving me that chance to go home and I cannot refuse. I always wanted to return to Sevilla. It’s an exciting challenge for me to return to the club that made me a professional. Sevilla are building a big sporting project.”