Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is on the verge of completing a sensational takeover of Sevilla after a consortium led by the Spanish defender reached an agreement in principle worth around €444 million for the La Liga club.
Ramos has emerged as the public face of a group backed by investment firm Five Eleven, which entered an exclusivity period earlier this year to negotiate the purchase of his boyhood club.
Talks reportedly accelerated this week after lengthy negotiations with shareholders and a detailed financial review of Sevilla’s accounts.
Sources close to the discussions revealed that the agreement was reached on Tuesday following marathon meetings that lasted between eight and 10 hours.
The consortium is now expected to finalize the purchase before late May or early June once the required capital is formally completed.
The proposed takeover comes during one of the most difficult periods in Sevilla’s recent history. The club has struggled financially in recent years and currently faces uncertainty both on and off the pitch.
Sevilla’s debt was initially feared to be close to €180m, although club insiders now estimate the net debt to be nearer €90m after ongoing assessments.
The financial problems have also been reflected in their performances this season. Sevilla currently sit 13th in La Liga and remain only three points above the relegation zone with three matches left to play. Relegation would reportedly reduce the club’s value significantly and further complicate its financial situation.
Ramos’ involvement has already generated huge excitement among supporters. The 2010 World Cup winner came through Sevilla’s academy before joining Real Madrid in 2005, where he became one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
During his time in Madrid, Ramos won multiple major trophies, including five La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns. He later spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain before returning emotionally to Sevilla in 2023.
The veteran defender left Mexican side Monterrey in December and has since been without a club. Now, instead of returning to the pitch, Ramos appears set to begin a new chapter in football ownership with the club where his career first started.
If the takeover is completed successfully, Sevilla supporters will hope Ramos can help stabilize the club financially and restore its reputation as one of Spain’s strongest teams both domestically and in European competition.
