Dos Santos hints at exit

Barca starlet wants permanent switch

By Lucas Brown   Last updated: 20th May 2008

giovani dos santos

Dos Santos: Barca warning

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Giovani Dos Santos has told Barcelona that if he leaves the club then it will be on a permanent basis, after rumours circulated that they have suggested a loan deal.

The Mexican youngster has refused to even discuss the possibility of spending a year gaining experience elsewhere and insisted that if the Blaugrana want him out, then it will be for good.

Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have all been linked with the services of Dos Santos, with his agent doing his best to persuade Barca that the high level of interest should mean more money for his client.

If the Catalan outfit refuse to budge and insist that they want the player to play regularly at another club and then return to Camp Nou, Dos Santos will seek a permanent move.

"If I leave, it will be forever," Dos Santos told reporters. "I am someone who believes that if you close a chapter at one place then you cannot go back.

"All I want to do is succeed, whether that be at Barca or at another club."

Injury doubt

Interest in Dos Santos has yet to produce any confirmed bids and surgery to his left ankle on Monday will mean that any thoughts of completing a transfer will be postponed until June at the earliest.

The 19-year-old was promoted to the first team squad permanently last summer after reportedly saying that he would leave the club rather than spend the year playing in La Tercera with the B side.