Spanish star tempts Arsenal and Spurs – is he the key to fourth place?

Arsenal may have lost out on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after the Dutch striker signed a new deal with Schalke, but the Gunners could still pick up a forward with a strong pedigree in the January window. Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo is being linked with a move to the Emirates, after the Andalucian club revealed that they're suffering economically. With Tottenham also thought to be interested, talkSPORT’s Transfer Spotlight has more…

Name: Alvaro Negredo Sanchez
Date of birth: 20 August, 1985
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
Position: Striker
Club: Sevilla
International appearances: 12 (Spain)
Honours: Copa del Rey (2009/10), Euro 2012

What’s the latest?
Alvaro Negredo has long been sought after by English clubs, with Liverpool and Tottenham in particular linked with him in recent years, but it previously looked unlikely that Sevilla would be willing to sell one of their biggest stars. Now, economic uncertainty at the club means that the Andalucians are reportedly willing to listen to offers, and it looks like both Arsenal and Tottenham are ready to test their hand. Sevilla are believed to be holding out for around £17m. 
Did you know?

1) Born in Madrid, Negredo’s career started at humble local side Rayo Vallecano, the same club where Swansea striker Michu made his name. In 2004, Negredo broke into the Rayo first team, then playing in the Spanish third tier and was promptly signed by Real Madrid and incorporated into their youth ranks in 2005, where he would compete with Roberto Soldado for the striker’s position at Real Madrid Castilla.

2) Negredo settled well in Madrid and, at the end of the 2006/07 season, finished top scorer for the team with 18 goals. His good form led to Fabio Capello calling him up to Real Madrid’s senior squad for several Copa del Rey ties, though he ultimately never made an appearance. In a familiar story for many Real Madrid youth players, the club deemed him surplus to requirements, and sold him to Almeria in July 2007. 

3) The striker spent two successful seasons with Almeria, scoring 32 goals in 73 appearances. Then, in a bizarre turn of events, Real Madrid exercised his €5m buyback clause in 2009, with Negredo making a pre-season appearance with the side, only for the Spanish giants to then sell him on a month later to Sevilla. Though the details of the deal were not disclosed, it was believed that Sevilla paid €15m for his services, making Negredo their most expensive signing ever. Though something of a slow starter at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, it proved a savvy purchase in the end, with Negredo helping Sevilla to silverware by lifting the Copa del Rey during his first season with the club.

4) Following the departures of Luis Fabiano and Freddy Kanoute, Negredo established himself as Sevilla’s first choice striker and is now one of their key players, alongside fellow Spain international Jesus Navas. In his second season with the Andalucians, he scored an impressive 26 goals in 55 appearances for his team. Though a dip in quality throughout the side has seen his goal tally reduced somewhat, he has still managed eight league goals so far this season. His finishing ability both on the ground and in the air, combined with strong link up play and excellent energy makes him a formidable forward.

5) Negredo made his Spain debut in 2009 against Armenia. His appearances for la Roja have been limited by the presence of players like David Villa and Fernando Torres, as well as Vicente del Bosque’s decision to field a false number nine at Euro 2012, but he has become a regular squad member for his nation. Most notably, he was a shock starter for Spain against Portugal in their Euro 2012 semi-final, though was ultimately withdrawn in the second half after a poor game.

They say
“I believe a lot in the Three Kings [Spanish equivalent of Santa] these days. We aren’t going to ask them [the Sevilla board] for a signing, but at the minimum, that nobody leaves. We know what the economic situation is like…” Sevilla coach Michel admits he fears losing players in January.

“Without selling players we will return to the mediocrity of the last decades. I want to aspire to something and not wander through the league without pain or glory.” Sevilla President Jose Maria del Nido on the need to sell players in the winter window. 

Video evidence

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