It's war: Barca plan to raid Ramos' former club for Spurs target Capel

13 April 2012

face renewed competition from Barcelona in their pursuit of Diego Capel.

White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos is keen to sign the left winger from his old club Sevilla.

But Barcelona are ready to make a move for the 20-year-old after becoming frustrated with bids for Andrei Arshavin, Rodrigo Palacio and David Silva.

Manchester United target Silva has signed a lucrative new deal at Valencia while Barca's technical directors are divided on the merits of Boca Juniors' Argentina striker Palacio - a player long admired by Arsenal.

In-demand: 20-year-old Capel has been linked with a move away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with suitors from England and Spain - including former boss Ramos

In-demand: 20-year-old Capel has been linked with a move away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with suitors from England and Spain - including former boss Ramos


Zenit St Petersburg are holding out for a fee of about £20million Arshavin - who is also a Spurs target - while Barcelona value the 27-year-old Russia star at nearer £12m.
In contrast, Capel has a release clause of £12.3m in his contract at Sevilla.

Spurs have already made an offer in excess of this, but the Spanish club claim the clause can only be triggered by a bid from a Spanish club.

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido is likely to resist any approach from Spurs after bitterly fighting Ramos's own move to White Hart Lane last season.

But the Andalucians have already done business with Barcelona earlier this summer, selling Brazil right-back Dani Alves to the Nou Camp club for £23.5m.

Capel is set to make his Spain debut against Denmark in Copenhagen on Wednesday and has many admirers in Spain and beyond.

Barcelona see him as a replacement for Ronaldinho, playing in an advanced role down the left.

The position is seen as the last headache for new coach Pep Guardiola before the Spanish season starts and Barca director of football Txiki Begiristain has confirmed that the club's summer transfer activity is not yet closed.

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