Negredo wanted by Hammers

West Ham made an offer of £17m for Alvaro Negredo back in January as the striker prepares for a summer move away from Spain.



Everton were strongly linked with Negredo back in the New Year but £20m proved to be too much - now Sevilla president Jose Del Nido has revealed that the Hammers made an offer of £17m which was turned down by the Spanish club.



Sevilla have a release clause of £20m on the 27-year-old who scored 25 goals last season and they are looking to get full value for the striker.



His agent, Juanma Lopez, has confirmed there is interest from the Premier League for the player but hinted that Rafael Benitez's Napoli may be his preferred option.

"Alavaro has played a very important season and many clubs are coming forward for him," Lopez told tuttomercatoweb. "I think he can go either to England or Italy.



"Napoli is a possibility given that [Rafa] Benitez likes the player and the team will play in next season's Champions League, a competition that Negredo would like to take part in.



"The final decision is up to Seville, whoever wants Negredo has to find an agreement with them."

Jesus Navas excited by change

Jesus Navas insists he never had any second thoughts about choosing to join Manchester City - a decision he says he made some time ago.



Sevilla confirmed last night they had accepted an offer from City for the 27-year-old Spain winger, with reports suggesting the deal could be worth up to £24million.



There had been speculation Real Madrid were keen on his services, but Navas, who has spent his entire career to date with local club Sevilla, said he had made up his mind on a switch to City long ago.



Speaking today, Navas was quoted as saying by the Spanish media: "We've been talking with Manchester City for four months. The decision is taken.



"There had been rumours (about Real Madrid), but Manchester City were in from the start and I had decided some time ago. It's a good project and it was the moment to make the step.



"The Premier League is a competition where the football is very fast. I'm really looking forward to it. Manchester City are making a great team.



"I'm going from Sevilla, which is a very nice place, and I'm going to a great club in England."



He added on Sevilla's official website: "It was my choice. I'm very happy with the decision. I wanted to continue growing there and they've put a lot of faith in me and I want to continue doing well there.



"It's difficult because I've spent many years enjoying playing in front of these fans but I've made my decision, I wanted to go there. It's a good step for me and I never had any hesitation.



"I want to thank the (Sevilla) fans and the club for all that they've given me."



Navas is widely expected to be joined at City by Manuel Pellegrini, with the Chilean favourite to take over the vacant managerial post at the Etihad Stadium.



Navas, who is on Spain duty ahead of the upcoming Confederations Cup in Brazil, said: "I don't know Pellegrini personally, but I've heard good things about him. He's a great coach."

Liverpool keen on Sevilla hotshot

Estadio Deportivo is reporting that Liverpool are hoping to sign Sevilla forward Luis Alberto in the summer transfer window.



The 20-year-old footballer was loaned to Barcelona last summer and he largely impressed playing for Barcelona B.



However, despite scoring 11 goals in 37 league matches and racking up the most assists in the team, Barcelona officials opted against making the loan deal permanent.



The player is, therefore, set to return to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but there is every chance he will be leaving Sevilla again.



According to Estadio Deportivo, Liverpool and Swansea are showing interest in the 20-year-old with a view of luring him to English Premier League at the end of the current campaign.



The Reds are prepared to offer around £5 million for Luis Alberto, but Sevilla is holding out for £8 million.



With Jesus Navas set to join Manchester City and Alvaro Negredo also likely to leave, los Rojiblancos are under no pressure to sell.

Real Madrid line up Alonso replacement

Spanish newspaper Marca is reporting that Real Madrid are considering a bid for Sevilla starlet Geoffrey Kondogbia.



It is no secret los Merengues are looking for a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso, who is set to enter the final year of his deal at Santiago Bernabeu.



They have been linked with a number of players in the past few months, but Marca has suggested that Sevilla’s Geoffrey Kondogbia has been elected as the most suitable successor to the Spain international.



The Frenchman has largely impressed in a holding midfielder role since joining the club from Nantes, and he has seen his name linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs.



Due to the difficult financial situation, Sevilla may have no choice but to cash in on their star player in the summer, with Real ready to pounce.



Kondogbia, 20, has featured in 25 La Liga matches this term and scored the only goal of the campaign in a 3-0 home win over Granada.