Sevilla may call off Borja Valero move

Sevilla's president has claimed the club have called off their efforts to sign Albion midfielder Borja Valero.

Jose Maria Del Nido insists the Spanish club would not pay the Baggies' asking price for the 25-year-old, but sources in Spain today told the Express & Star a deal could still happen.

His comments could be viewed at the Hawthorns as an attempt to drive down the fee for Albion's record signing by threatening to pull the plug on negotiations.

But Del Nido insisted Sevilla have turned their attentions to other targets, including Atalanta midfielder Tiberio Guarente.

The Sevilla supremo said: "We've ruled out him joining the organisation because the owner of his rights, West Bromwich Albion, has asked for 8million euros and Sevilla has offered 4million.

"We respect the price put on him by West Bromwich Albion, but although in football you can never say never, when you ask me I answer honestly and say that we have ruled out the signing and we are already looking at other horizons.

"And if these negotiations are closed we will not look back."

But sources close to the Spanish club insist they are still keen to sign Valero and suspect the president's comments are designed to pressurise Albion into lowering their demands.

Sevilla had hoped to land the player for the four million euro figure - around £3.3million - included as an 'option figure' when he joined Mallorca on loan last summer.

But Mallorca were unable to find the money to make the move permanent and the Baggies believe Valero's eye-catching season back in Spain has increased his market value.

They rejected Sevilla's initial offer last week and insisted they will welcome Valero back into the Hawthorns fold if they cannot sell him on their terms, despite his difficult first season in the Premier League following his £4.7million move from Mallorca.

They have remained tight-lipped on their own valuation, but the eight million euro figure alleged by Del Nido represents around £6.5million.