Arsenal are in the hunt for Sevilla defender Sebastien Squillaci, admits Arsene Wenger

20 August 2010 16:15
In demand: Sevilla's Sebastien Squillaci[LNB]Arsene Wenger has confirmed his interest in signing Sebastien Squillaci after Sevilla revealed an offer had been lodged by Arsenal for the experienced France international.[LNB]The Spanish club are reported to want some £6.5million for the centre-back but an imminent completion of negotiations appears unlikely.   [LNB]Wenger confirmed: 'He is one of the players we look at. With central defenders we are short number-wise, so we look at him, but we are far from being close to signing him.'[LNB] [LNB]Meanwhile Squillaci will not be considered for selection by Sevilla in Saturday night's Spanish Supercup second leg away to Barcelona, his coach has revealed.   [LNB]Squillaci asked to be left out of the Sevilla side that faced Braga in the Champions League qualifier first leg on Wednesday night, so as not to be cup-tied for a potential deal with the Gunners.   [LNB]The France defender's decision left Antonio Alvarez angry at the time, but the Sevilla coach now says the issue is water under the bridge.   [LNB]'I didn't like the fact that he didn't want to play (against Braga), but the circumstances turned out that way,' he said. 'I wasn't going to lose a lot of time thinking about what could happen. I turned over a new page and forgot about the issue.'[LNB]  Squillaci's decision was reported to have caused unrest in the Sevilla dressing room before the Braga match, which the Spanish side lost 1-0 in Portugal, but Alvarez says those stories are false.  [LNB] 'Nothing happened,' he said. 'I got the players together, told them that Squillaci wouldn't play and that (Federico) Fazio would start in his place. Then we spoke about the match, said that it was going to be difficult. But the team never gave in. The players went out focused and we played a good first half.'[LNB]Reports in Spain suggest Sevilla are holding out for an £6.5million fee, with Arsenal supposedly having offered £4.5m.   [LNB]Negotiations remain ongoing, but Squillaci may already have played his last game for the Andalusian side. 'He won't play against Barcelona,' Alvarez said.[LNB] Experienced: Squillaci (right) has won 20 international caps for France[LNB][LNB]Meanwhile Wenger, looking ahead to Saturday's clash with Blackpool at the Emirates Stadium, warned against any complacency his team might feel about facing the newly-promoted Tangerines.[LNB] 'We have to show weare mature enough to deal with these types of games where you arefavourites - but you are only favourite if you deserve it and preparementally,' the Arsenal manager said.  [LNB] 'Among the three teams who come up, there is always one team whoare on a wave of euphoria, of momentum - and it is not always the teamwho has won the league.   [LNB]'They have no doubt, and as long as the doubt is not created by theresults, they play with a real freedom, which is why Blackpool will bea dangerous team.' [LNB] Ex-Arsenal captain William Gallas on verge of shock Tottenham switch after Harry Redknapp brands move a 'no-brainer'CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE WEEKEND PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWSGallas's move to rivals Tottenham surprises Arsenal boss Wenger Sign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabs [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail