Monchi was ready to move to Mexico ahead of his switch to Aston Villa.

Monchi was named Villa's new 'president of football operations' on Friday after being released from his contract at Sevilla.

TMW says leaving Sevilla was always on Monchi's agenda this summer.

And the experienced sporting director had been in deep discussions with LigaMX giants Cruz Azul before Villa made their move.

Terms were 'practically reached' before Villa's intervention.