BETIS JOIN SERGIO CHASE

Sergio's buy-out clause is set at 4,000 million pesetas (£14.46 million), although they will face stiff competition from the likes of Valencia, Deportivo La Coruna and Spurs for the player.

Valencia see Sergio as a replacement for Gaizka Mendieta, if the player leaves for Real, although with the upcoming signing of Zinedine Zidane, this may be put on the back burner.

Pedro Cortes, the Valencian president has matched Betis' offer and also pledged to drop an extra 750 million pesetas, that Espanyol owe for the transfer of Oscar last summer.

Deportivo have offered a lower sum than their two rivals, which is not surprising as they claim they will only make a move if they sell Brazilian Djalminha beforehand.

Espanyol are in considerable debt and are looking to alleviate this through the sale of Sergio, Raul Tamudo and Toni Velamazan.