Real Betis and St Etienne have joined the race to sign Aston
Villa striker Milan Baros.
Baros has struggled to find his best form this season and has been
linked with several of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea, Lyon
and Werder Bremen.
Spanish sides Levante and Villarreal are also believed to be keen
on the Czech Republic international, while Betis have now emerged
as one of the frontrunners.
Betis boss Luis Fernandez is eager to recruit a new forward before
the end of January and the club are understood to have made contact
with Baros' agent.
They are rumoured to have offered Baros a lucrative deal, and are
looking to capture his signature within the next few days.
According to reports in France, St Etienne are also determined to
snap up Baros, with coach Ivan Hajek confident of persuading his
Czech compatriot to sign.
Hajek has ambitious plans for St Etienne, and has already brought
Japanese right-back Hayuma Tanakaun in on trial.
St Etienne midfielder Daniel Bilos, meanwhile, has been loaned out
to America Mexico for the rest of the season, with a view to a
permanent transfer.