Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been told to raise his bid if
he wants to sign Sevilla defender Sebastien Squillaci.
Wenger made his move for the France international in an effort
to bolster his options in defence before the transfer window
closes.
Squillaci was withdrawn from the Sevilla squad that faced Braga
in the Champions League on Wednesday, with the Spanish club not
wanting to jeopardise any deal involving the 30-year-old.
Sevilla's sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Rodriguez said: 'The
player asked us not to use him in this game because of interest
from an important team, but at the moment we consider the offer to
be inadequate and Squillaci is still a Sevilla player.'
In demand: Sebastien Squillaci in action against
South Africa at the World Cup
A statement on the Sevilla website read: 'Sebastien Squillaci's
future is in the air.
'As was confirmed by sporting director Ramon Rodriguez at the
airport in Porto, the club have received an offer from Arsenal. The
player asked coaches not to play him in the match.'
Squillaci was part of France's squad for the recent World Cup,
and played in their final group game against hosts South
Africa.
New boy: Laurent Koscielny tussles with Fernando
Torres during Arsenal's clash with Liverpool
Arsenal have lost William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre
and Philippe Senderos from central defence.
They have brought in only Laurent Koscielny, who was sent off on
his debut at Liverpool last weekend.
Bound for Marseille? Mikael Silvestre
Wenger has also signed striker Marouane Chamakh this summer but with supporters desperate for
success the Arsenal boss is clearly keen to do more business before
the transfer window closes at the beginning of
September.
Arsenal haven't won a trophy since
picking up the FA Cup in 2005, and they last won the league title
back in 2004.
Meanwhile it has been reported that Marseille are lining up a
move for Silvestre.
The former Manchester United player was strongly linked with a
transfer to Dubai, but the move failed to materialize.
Silvestre has also been linked over the summer with a move
across London to Fulham.
Marseille boss Didier Deschamps is believed to want some extra
experience in defence, and Silvestre could well be tempted by a
move to his home country and another chance to play Champions
League football.
