Arsenal target Baptista will not leave Spain

ARSENAL may have to wait 12 months for Julio Baptista after the striker insisted he would not leave Sevilla until the end of the coming season.

The Brazilian qualifies for Spanish citizenship if he spends another year in the country and he doesn't want that chance to elude him.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be keen on the 23-year-old, and Sevilla appear willing to sell now at the right price.

Baptista has three years left to run on his present deal but intends to serve only a third of that term, and only then once his dual nationality is confirmed would he consider leaving Spain.

"I have never said that I wanted to leave or that I didn't want to stay at Sevilla," he said yesterday.

"I have come here to work and to play here a further season. I don't know what is going to happen this year, but I am calm. There is interest from several clubs but I'm happy here.

"In August, I will get my papers in order to get Spanish nationality and I will no longer take up a non-European place, which is very important for me."

Baptista, nicknamed 'The Beast' by the Sevilla fans, struck 20 goals in 30 league appearances last season, his second since being converted from a midfielder.

Sevilla finished sixth and Baptista feels no urge to move on just yet.

"I have already adapted to the Primera Liga and to adapt to another league would be complicated," he said.

Barcelona are said to be keen on Baptista, and reports indicate the interest is mutual, although they have yet to publicly declare themselves in the running to snap up the Brazilian.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has already spoken with Baptista.

"It was a fast conversation," said Baptista, "In order to get to know each other and that is it.

"But I told him that I had the opportunity to get my passport, which is very important for me."

Baptista denied he has already signed for any team, saying: "I couldn't do that because I would be fined by FIFA. The only contract that I have is with Sevilla."

Jose Maria del Nido, the Sevilla president, is apparently trying to drive up the price for Baptista, claiming to have turned down an offer of £13.8million.

With Baptista perhaps out of reach for 12 months, it has been suggested that Arsenal will look to strengthen in the goalkeeping position.

Jens Lehmann finished last season well but is suspended for the first two Champions League games of the season. His deputy, Manuel Almunia, recently damaged a hand in training, and Wenger has been linked with Charlton's former Republic of Ireland international Dean Kiely.