LIVERPOOL must stave off the advances of Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid if they are to clinch the signing of Sevilla's Daniel Alves.
But Rafael Benitez's chances of capturing the 23-year-old Brazilian yesterday improved after Javier Saviola insisted he would not make the move to Sevilla.
The Argentine striker is thought to hold the key for any move for Alves by Champions League holders Barcelona.
Saviola has been on loan at Sevilla from the Nou Camp for the past season, and was expected to form part of an expected move by Barcelona for Alves, who Benitez has earmarked to solve Liverpool's problem right-wing position.
However, it emerged yesterday the player has no intention of returning to Sevilla next season following a falling out with coach Juande Ramos.
"Sevilla have said they will make us an offer before Friday, but I have said Saviola will not stay at Sevilla, even though he was keen to do so," said Saviola's agent, Alfredo Cabrera Brizuela.
"They (Sevilla) had promised to make a big effort to sign him.
"But they now have told me that we would probably see the offer as being not good enough for the player.
"Ramos has shown a lack of respect towards the player during the season and now they (Sevilla) have chosen to put the coach first."
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