(Photo: Inside Spanish Football)
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Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez also rumored in European transfer

by Christoffer Frendesen

Colombian midfielder Carlos Sanchez has been reported to be in negotiations with British soccer club Aston Villa, following his impressive stint during the World Cup, according to international media.

The defensive midfielder, who played in every match for Colombia during the World Cup, is rumored to be leaving Spanish team Elche for the Premier League club Aston Villa, British newspaper the Telegraph reported.

Aston Villa’s head coach Paul Lambert is supposedly seeking to strengthen his team with Sanchez, since he has yet to improve the defensive aspects of the midfield.

The player in question admitted to having offers thrown at him after his appearances during World Cup, but he refused to comment on any concrete bids, according to news site Inside Spanish Football.

“The offers? It would be a lack of respect to my team and its fans to say who.  I’m happy to stay here and continue with Elche, because here I’ve felt, from the very first day, their affection,” said Sanchez.

He stated that he was only going to leave the Spanish team if it would be beneficial for both him and Elche, but pointed out that his focus is primarily on the soccer ball.

“Clearly there are offers. As a footballer, it is not for me to talk about, I just play and train.  In the end, we’ll make the best decision for the club and Carlos Sanchez,” said Sanchez.

Following the Colombian national team’s World Cup success, the midfielder has been valued at $6.713 million. The Premier League club Queen Park Rangers has also been reported to be in pursuit of Sanchez.

Colombians soccer players in high demand

Several of the Colombian players from the World Cup team have been hot topics after their team fought its way to the quarterfinals.

FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez has been linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool, who also tried to sign the Colombian last season. The Portuguese club has been able to hold on to their scoring wizard, but this year they might chose to give him up if the right offer hits the table.

Both Manchester United and Barcelona have been rumored to show interest in Colombian winger Juan Guillermo Cuadrado. Earlier this year his current club Fiorentina bought the full rights for the speedy winger, which could indicate that the Italian team is interested in selling Cuadrado for the right price.

MORE: After shining in World Cup, Colombia soccer front and center in international transfer window

Even though he wasn’t able to show-off his skills during World Cup due to an knee injury, Radamel Falcao has been sent to different European top-clubs according to the rumor-mill, which have been spinning like in a storm. The Colombian “El Tigre” has been remored to Manchester City, Liverpool, and more recently he was favored to travel to Real Madrid along with his Colombian teammate James Rodriguez.

MORE: Rumors favor Colombia’s Falcao to transfer to Real Madrid

Done deals

Real Madrid signed James earlier in the transfer window, and the Colombian World Cup star recently spoke to the media regarding his adaption in Real Madrid.

MORE: Colombia’s James Rodriguez officially joins Real Madrid

“I’m calm. I’m at a big club, in a club that always wants to win titles, in a club there is always pressure to win, but I’m relaxed here, training.  I just want to help the team, so they continue winning titles.”

James added, “The pressure doesn’t affect me, because you have to put it to the side when you’re on the pitch. I don’t think the pressure will get to me at all.”

Additionally, Colombia’s goalkeeper for the World Cup David Ospina, who only allowed four goals in five starts, was transferred to one of last year’s top teams in the Premier League, Arsenal. The Colombian keeper left French club Nice and is now going head-to-head with his new colleague, Wojciech Szczęsny, for the position of starting goalkeeper.

MORE: Colombia’s David Ospina officially joins Arsenal

 Sources