Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre says Albert Riera could soon move to the Premier League - but insists the winger will not come cheap.
Sanchez Llibre admitted he had received offers from two English clubs, reported by the Spanish press to be Liverpool and Everton.
The Spanish side have fought throughout pre-season to keep hold of their best players, with repeated bids from Benfica for forward Luis Garcia rejected because the Portuguese club would not meet Espanyol's asking price.
And Sanchez Llibre insists he is ready to do the same with the Merseyside duo if they are not prepared to pay what the club is asking.
"We have received two interesting offers, both of which are from English clubs," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.
"What we always do is defend our interests. We won't sell any player if the bid is not the amount we have asked for.
"If they want Albert Riera, they'll have to pay what Espanyol is asking."
However, he went on to add: "While Luis Garcia's possible transfer to Benfica has stalled, this one could be in its final hours.
"If someone does leave, within the next 24 hours they will be replaced."
Sporting director Paco Herrera was more specific about the situation, explaining a deal for Riera had yet to be completed because the 26-year-old was more interested in joining the club which had tabled the lowest bid, believed to be Liverpool.
"There is a team which is offering what we have asked and another one which isn't, but the player is interested in the one which is offering the least," he revealed. "We will not lower our asking price."
Sanchez Llibre admitted he had received offers from two English clubs, reported by the Spanish press to be Liverpool and Everton.
The Spanish side have fought throughout pre-season to keep hold of their best players, with repeated bids from Benfica for forward Luis Garcia rejected because the Portuguese club would not meet Espanyol's asking price.
And Sanchez Llibre insists he is ready to do the same with the Merseyside duo if they are not prepared to pay what the club is asking.
"We have received two interesting offers, both of which are from English clubs," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.
"What we always do is defend our interests. We won't sell any player if the bid is not the amount we have asked for.
"If they want Albert Riera, they'll have to pay what Espanyol is asking."
However, he went on to add: "While Luis Garcia's possible transfer to Benfica has stalled, this one could be in its final hours.
"If someone does leave, within the next 24 hours they will be replaced."
Sporting director Paco Herrera was more specific about the situation, explaining a deal for Riera had yet to be completed because the 26-year-old was more interested in joining the club which had tabled the lowest bid, believed to be Liverpool.
"There is a team which is offering what we have asked and another one which isn't, but the player is interested in the one which is offering the least," he revealed. "We will not lower our asking price."
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