Sevilla poised to make move to sign Josemi
Jul 28 2005
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post
SEVILLA are hoping to take Liverpool defender Josemi back to Spain.
The La Liga outfit are weighing up a bid for the 25-year-old, who was signed by Rafael Benitez last summer for £2million from Malaga.
Liverpool would be tempted by an offer allowing them to recoup their investment in a player who has struggled during his time in England, with reports in Spain suggesting Sevilla have already had contact with Josemi's representatives.
And Benitez could use the interest as an opportunity to tempt Sevilla into a deal for in-demand right-back Daniel Alves.
Sevilla are resigned to losing both Alves and fellow defender Sergio Ramos to bigger clubs this summer, and have pinpointed Josemi as a potential replacement.
The £6m-rated Alves has previously spoken of a desire to leave and said he would be happy with a move to Liverpool.
Current Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was a former manager of Josemi at Malaga and is a known admirer of the player.
Josemi was in the starting line-up for Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League second qualifying round first leg win at FBK Kaunas of Lithuania. He had an impressive beginning to his Anfield career, but after a knee injury he struggled with form and fitness and made little impact after Christmas.
Benitez, meanwhile, yesterday suffered a blow in his attempts to bolster his central defence when Gabriel Milito signed a new contract with Real Zaragoza.
Liverpool tabled a £7.5m bid for the Argentine earlier this month, but he has committed himself to Zaragoza by extending his contract until 2010.
"I am very happy and content with my new deal. Both sides showed willingness and negotiations were pretty swift," said Milito.
"It was what I was hoping for and fortunately we have been able to reach an agreement."
He added: "I am pleased and I will carry on doing my best so that Zaragoza can continue to grow as a club. The past two seasons have been wonderful because we have won titles (Cup and Spanish Supercup) and I know that with the prestige Zaragoza have, that I will continue to improve."
Slavia Prague have renewed their appeal to UEFA over losing their Champions League seeding position to Liverpool ahead of tomorrow's third qualifying round draw.
The Czech Republic outfit have already had an appeal rejected by UEFA at the start of the month but the club have not given up their efforts to question the decision.
"We repeat again that we have nothing against the inclusion of Liverpool into Champions League," said Slavia's general manager Vladimir Leska.
"The only thing we want is that Slavia is not harmed by this."
Meanwhile Real Madrid winger Luis Figo has said that he will not be joining Liverpool.
The Anfield side's move for the 32-year-old stalled in recent weeks and Figo now seems set for a switch to Inter Milan.
Talks with Inter will continue upon Figo's return from Asia with Real Madrid. He said: "With the English side, everything has ended but I'm happy many other big clubs have put their eyes on me. About Inter, I have no news. My situation is strange. I
only want to play football, possibly with Real, but it's better that I leave."
* Carl Medjani will have talks with Liverpool manager Benitez in the next few days to determine his Anfield future.
