Sevilla defender Loic Bade has confirmed he will not leave the club in the January transfer window.
Premier League side Aston Villa have been chasing him since early 2025, but they now appear to be running out of time to win him away from Andalusia with the window closing on February 3.
Previous rumors suggested Bade would leave, with Sevilla tipped to have already lined up a replacement, but the French defender indicated he was willing to stay at the Estadio Ramon Sánchez Pizjuan.
Unai Emery led Villa to their first ever UEFA Champions League qualifying spot at the end of last season and his team are in with a chance of a knockout place in the coming weeks.
Emery also wants to lead Villa to another top four finish in the Premier League in 2025, but injuries are a concern at Villa Park, which has fueled his interest in Bade.
Bade scored the equalizer in Sevilla's 1-1 La Liga draw with Espanyol at the weekend, his first league goal for the club in almost two years, and the 24-year-old appeared to draw a line under the speculation at full-time.
“There was interest in me from other clubs, but I feel very good here, I want to stay,” said Marca.
“I feel good here. If I'm happy, why would I leave? I think I can make progress here and that's the most important thing.”
Bade's statement appears to sever the link with Villa as Emery now faces a race against time to bring in a new centre-back before the deadline expires.
Spain international Pau Torres has suffered another setback in his return from an ankle injury and will miss La Roja's UEFA Nations League matches against the Netherlands in March as he is not expected back in action until the end of that month.
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