I have discovered Sergio Ramos and countless other stars, but my best signing was the Barcelona legend who played with Lionel Messi.

Aston Villa's head of football operations Monchi has revealed who the best player he has ever signed is.

Monchi, whose full name is Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo, He joined the Villains in June of last year.

The 55-year-old works closely with the Villa manager. Unai Emery and football director Damian Vidagany.

Together, they form Villa's power triangle and are the key decision-makers on all matters relating to football at Bodymoor Heath.

Although Monchi was a former player, he has gained much more recognition for his work as a sporting director.

Monchi took office in Seville in July 2000, shortly after retiring, and remained in office until 24 April 2017, when he moved to AS Roma.

He spent just under two years in the Italian capital before returning to Seville, where he remained until June 30 last year, when he moved to Villa.

During his time as sporting director, Monchi has bought and sold countless players but only one name has stood out as his best business.

“For me, in my opinion, my best option is to buy Dani Alvessaid Monchi Jeff Stelling and Andy Townsend on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“Because I bought him when he was young. He played for Sevilla for many years, won many titles. Then we sold him for much more money.

“It may be the best option because he is a top-level player.”

It's hard to disagree with Monchi.

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In July 2002, he brought 20-year-old Alves to Sevilla from Brazilian club Bahia, initially on loan before making a permanent deal for just £472,000 six months later.

Alves helped Sevilla win five trophies in his six seasons at the club before being sold to Barcelona in 2008 for approximately £30 million.

The Brazilian right-back would win no less than 23 trophies during his time at Barcelona and established himself as one of the best defenders on the planet.

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Since I retired, Alves was found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 and was initially sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

But the 41-year-old was released in March this year. after posting bail of one million euros (£853,000).

Other stars Monchi has signed on the cheap and sold for a huge profit include Ivan Rakitic and Gregorz Krychowiak.

Rakitic was signed by Schalke for just £1.8m in 2011 and sold to Barcelona for £15.4m just three years later.

He also discovered players like Sergio Ramos and José Antonio Reyes.

As for Krychowiak, Monchi signed him from Reims for £5m in 2014 and subsequently sold him to Paris Saint-Germain two years later for £24m.