Rafael Benitez has entered the race for Valencia’s highly-rated defender Raul Albiol only days after reports surfaced in both Spain and England that Arsene Wenger was tracking the player.
It now looks as though both Arsenal and Liverpool will lock horns in the summer for the 23-year-old as the Mestalla outfit look to maximise their income from the player.
Los Che’s financial problems could see them forced to off-load several star players to balance their books. There was a similar forecast this time last year, although the Primera Division side managed to ward off suitors for prized-assets David Villa and David Silva.
While Albiol's current buy-out clause is €60 million, los Che could listen to offers of around €15m for his services given his contract ends in 2011. It is thought given Benitez’s connections at his former club that Liverpool now have the upper hand in any potential negotiations.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Valencia’s sporting director, Fernando Gomez intimated that the summer may be the time to offload several off their most valuable stars.
"It is necessary to study each offer that we receive and after that we will decide," he told Sky Sports.
"The money situation is complicated at the club, but nobody has spoken with us about Albiol on a formal basis.
"But we are aware that the Reds have been scouting around here in recent months."
Valencia announced last week that construction of their new stadium was to be temporarily halted due to the current economic climate.
It now looks as though both Arsenal and Liverpool will lock horns in the summer for the 23-year-old as the Mestalla outfit look to maximise their income from the player.
Los Che’s financial problems could see them forced to off-load several star players to balance their books. There was a similar forecast this time last year, although the Primera Division side managed to ward off suitors for prized-assets David Villa and David Silva.
While Albiol's current buy-out clause is €60 million, los Che could listen to offers of around €15m for his services given his contract ends in 2011. It is thought given Benitez’s connections at his former club that Liverpool now have the upper hand in any potential negotiations.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Valencia’s sporting director, Fernando Gomez intimated that the summer may be the time to offload several off their most valuable stars.
"It is necessary to study each offer that we receive and after that we will decide," he told Sky Sports.
"The money situation is complicated at the club, but nobody has spoken with us about Albiol on a formal basis.
"But we are aware that the Reds have been scouting around here in recent months."
Valencia announced last week that construction of their new stadium was to be temporarily halted due to the current economic climate.
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