Luis García tried to keep Alexis Sánchez, but the Chilean sealed his move to Montreal

The Chilean packed his bags for Montreal, leaving a question hanging in the air in Sevilla: could it have been avoided? According to the coach himself, yes, there was an attempt. Luis García admitted he spoke with Alexis Sánchez to try to keep him before the forward sealed his move to MLS.

The departure wasn't just another routine transfer. With his arrival at Montreal, Alexis closed the book on 18 years tied to European soccer, a run that began in Italy and took him through Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter Milan and, in his final stop, Sevilla. Wrapping up nearly two decades of a career on the Old Continent to start fresh in North America is no small thing.

What stands out is that, according to the Spanish coach's own words, the club did want the Tocopilla native to stay. García was direct about what he discussed with the attacker before the deal was finalized.

I talked with Alexis and told him I was counting on him, if we could reach an agreement. From there, that agreement never came together and it couldn't be worked out.Luis García

The coach was even more blunt in stressing that the decision to leave wasn't due to a lack of interest from the club. "I'll say it plainly: I talked to him about staying, and for one reason or another he went elsewhere," added the Sevilla boss, suggesting the reasons behind the exit had more to do with matters outside the purely soccer side of things.

A grateful goodbye

Even though the negotiations didn't pan out, García had nothing but praise for what Alexis brought in the final stretch of the season. The Chilean was decisive down the stretch, something the coach made sure to point out.

We wish him all the best. He helped me a lot, in the last nine games he helped me tremendously. Scoring goals, setting up assists, coming off the bench fully committed.Luis García

Those last nine games the coach mentioned sum up pretty well the level of commitment Alexis showed in his farewell to Spanish soccer, whether starting or coming off the bench. And even though their paths are now going separate ways, the coach's tone was one of a friendly send-off rather than any kind of complaint.

To close, García left a personal message for the Chilean, in a tone that mixed soccer affection with the resignation that comes when a transfer market doesn't always align with a club's intentions. "Really happy for him, I send him a hug, my best wishes, and I hope things go really well for him," said the Sevilla coach, closing out what was, in a way, the club's official farewell to one of its recent standout players.