Leto set for Greek move

Reds winger happy with loan switch

By Fotis Voinikas   Last updated: 24th July 2008

Sebastian Leto

Leto: Olympiakos target

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Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto has confirmed he is close to agreeing a loan move to Olympiakos.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has informed Leto he is willing to loan him out as he is well down the pecking order at Anfield.

Leto's stay at Liverpool has been placed in doubt because of a passport fiasco.

The Argentine currently holds an Italian passport to enable him to win a work permit, but Italian authorities are thought to be carrying out an investigation on the validity of a number of citizenship decisions.

The 21-year-old has revealed he has spoken to Olympiakos manager Ernesto Valverde and he admits he would be interested in a move to Greece.

"I spoke with the people of the club [Liverpool] and our decision is to leave the club and to play somewhere else on loan for one season," Leto told Greek daily SportDay. "I have to play football next season.

"My agents are in Athens. They speak with Olympiakos for my loan.

"Their manager, Ernesto Valverde called me. He told me that he is really interested in having me at his team. He told me about his thoughts and everything. For me its really important to have a manager who speaks my language.

"I spoke with some friends who know everything about Olympiakos and they told me that this is the biggest club in Greece, that they always win the championship and they always play Champions League football.

"I heard a lot also about the fans of Olympiakos. I know also that Galletti, Ledesma and Belluschi are players of Olympiakos and they are really good, they are players of national team level.

"I have some offers from Italy and Spain but Olympiakos is the best club for me at the moment."

Leto has been assured he has a long-term future at Liverpool by Benitez and he is just hoping to have his passport problems resolved so that he can move to Greece.

He added: "I am still waiting for the community passport. Liverpool will wait for it until 31st of July.

"Of course, my dream is to play football here in Liverpool.

"I spoke with Rafa Benitez and he told me that he wants me but I can't stay without the passport.

"He advised me to go somewhere else to play for one season and to return next summer. He is right."