Spanish midfielder Vicente Iborra has revealed that he turned down interest from Sunderland in the summer transfer window because Sevilla were 'always his first choice'.

The 28-year-old was strongly linked with a move to the Black Cats in the latter stages of August and at one point, it appeared that the midfielder was heading for the Premier League in an £8m deal.

Iborra has claimed that Sunderland presented "a very good deal for both parties", but he was not interested in leaving the club that he has represented since 2013.

"They were intense days," Iborra told Estadio Deportivo. "It was not easy. At one point, you look at the changes in your life. It was clear from the beginning that Sevilla was my first choice. It was a very good deal for both parties, but I wanted to stay here. For me, money isn't everything or the experience there."

Iborra has been on the bench for both of Sevilla's La Liga matches at the start of the new season.