Sevilla Set To Sue Atletico Madrid And Las Palmas Over Vitolo

Transfers are a confusing business but add in a transfer release clause, the promise of a new contract and a transfer ban and it's no wonder everyone's confused. But all that confusion has led to Sevilla suing two clubs and a former player.

Nobody wants to lose one of their best players and especially when there's nothing in your power to stop it, as is the case with Spanish side's having to include a transfer release clause is any player's contract.

That's what happened to Sevilla earlier this summer when the Europa League's usual winners, although they let Manchester United have it last season, lost winger Vitolo for £33 million.

_{Vitolo's transfer is a very controversial one. Image: PA}

The 27 year-old is set to move to Atletico Madrid in January when their transfer ban ends so first he will head to hometown club Las Palmas for the first half of the season.

But a press release on the Sevilla website confirmed that they are suing both clubs and the player, believing they agreed a new deal with him:

"The Sevilla FC Board of Directors, who met on Friday for a regular session in the Zahara room of the Los Lebreros hotel for about six hours, have agreed to take legal action against the parties involved in Vitolo's departure from the club, such as the player himself, his father, the Bahía representation agency, and clubs Atlético de Madrid and UD Las Palmas, where the Gran Canaria-born Spanish international will spend next season.

"The club have already entrusted two law firms with the case, to defend the interests of the entity. Sevilla FC reached an agreement to extend Vitolo's contract on the 10th of July, backed by written documentation in Sevilla's possession, which the player decided to break unilaterally."

_{Vitolo Celebrates winning the Europa League. He can say goodbye to that now. Image: PA}

The winger played for his hometown club between 2008 and 2013 before leaving for Sevilla and unsurprisingly they were very happy to welcome him back:

The player paid his release clause 'himself' as to get out of his contract and then was free to sign for anyone. Atleti helped him afford the release clause and he will join Diego Simeone's side in January.

That is of course unless the lawsuit says otherwise.

Topics: Atletico Madrid, Sevilla

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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