Liverpool have joined Manchester City and Real Madrid in the race to sign Sevilla winger Jesus Navas.
Radio Marca Sevilla has revealed that the Anfield club have contacted the Spanish international’s representatives in order to clarify his situation at the Sanchez Pizjuan, although a formal offer is yet to be made.
Sevilla are in some financial difficulty and need to get several high earners off the payroll, with Alvaro Negredo, Fazio, Manu del Moral, Gary Medel and Navas in pole position to exit this summer.
While President Jose Maria Del Nido does not want to dismantle Unai Emery’s squad completely, a significant bid for any of the quintet would be difficult to turn down, particularly since in Navas’ case the rescission clause in his contract stands at €35m.
The 27-year-old has already admitted his future may lie away from Sevilla, where he came through the club’s youth system, and it is believed he would relish the opportunity of a move to Real Madrid, who would need to replace Angel Di Maria if the Argentine decides on a close-season switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
Even so, with the player’s previous anxiety problems a thing of the past – he has now also married and has a son – the lure of the Premier League could also tempt him given that Liverpool have joined City as serious rivals for his signature.
In addition, Navas is desperate to win trophies and his mind could possibly have been made up by Del Nido’s declarations to a Press conference yesterday.
“We must forget about the Sevilla that won titles,” he said. “That era was historic but now it’s over. On the basis of humility we must recognise the mistakes of the past two seasons and let our experiences from the glory years serve us well.
“We must build a new Sevilla, a new project that is strong, powerful and will excite the fans again. Our history shows us that we didn’t stop growing when we sold some of our best players in the past.
“This year is no different. It’s a turning point to once again build a big and powerful Sevilla.”
