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Levante to aim for Club America's Christian Benitez if European qualification is achieved
The Spanish high-flyers have shortlisted the Ecuadorian striker as a player to keep tabs on, but only if they manage to reach the promised land of Europe next year.
Dec 28, 2011 8:05:00 PM
By Goal.com Latin America
Mexsport
Levante has identified Club America striker Christian Benitez as a potential signing if the Valencian club qualifies for Europe next season.
Goal.com has learned that the Mexican giant has declared all of its players as transferrable after enduring a dismal 2011 Apertura campaign in which it finished second from bottom in the standings, and the hitman has now been targeted by the Spaniards.
Juan Ignacio Martinez's men also possess numerous South American players in their ranks, including Uruguayan goalkeeper Gustavo Munua, Costa Rican custodian Keylor Navas and Argentine defender Gustavo Cabral.
'Chucho' previously spent the 2009-10 campaign at the then Premier League outfit Birmingham City, but scored just three goals in the English top flight.
However, he has not ruled out returning to Europe, as there is a chance he could seamlessly fit into the Levante set-up.
Levante has enjoyed a magnificent season to date, sitting fourth in the Primera Division table and has European competition in its sights, which means that it has become more ambitious in its transfer policy.
However, bar top scorer Juanlu, who has netted six times thus far, it lacks a predatory goalscorer in attack, as last season's talisman Felipe Caicedo departed for Lokomotiv Moscow after scoring 11 La Liga goals - the highest ever in a single top-flight season for Levante.
Despite America's failings, Benitez still managed to net eight goals in 10 Apertura games.
Goal.com has learned that the Mexican giant has declared all of its players as transferrable after enduring a dismal 2011 Apertura campaign in which it finished second from bottom in the standings, and the hitman has now been targeted by the Spaniards.
Juan Ignacio Martinez's men also possess numerous South American players in their ranks, including Uruguayan goalkeeper Gustavo Munua, Costa Rican custodian Keylor Navas and Argentine defender Gustavo Cabral.
'Chucho' previously spent the 2009-10 campaign at the then Premier League outfit Birmingham City, but scored just three goals in the English top flight.
However, he has not ruled out returning to Europe, as there is a chance he could seamlessly fit into the Levante set-up.
Levante has enjoyed a magnificent season to date, sitting fourth in the Primera Division table and has European competition in its sights, which means that it has become more ambitious in its transfer policy.
However, bar top scorer Juanlu, who has netted six times thus far, it lacks a predatory goalscorer in attack, as last season's talisman Felipe Caicedo departed for Lokomotiv Moscow after scoring 11 La Liga goals - the highest ever in a single top-flight season for Levante.
Despite America's failings, Benitez still managed to net eight goals in 10 Apertura games.
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