Espanyol

Rui Costa Flies In To Seal Luis García Deal

Rui Costa has flown to Barcelona to finalise negotiations with Espanyol over the €12m transfer of Luis García to Benfica after weeks of following the player.

Jul 30, 2008 10:11:55 AM

Liga: Luis Garcia celebrates for Espanyol (AFP)

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Liga: Luis Garcia celebrates for Espanyol (AFP)

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The Portuguese superstar flew to the Ciutat Contal this week in his new role as As Águias' sporting director and will meet with the Blanc i Blau hierarchy on Wednesday.

Coach Quique Sánchez Flores has insisted that Luis García is the striker that he wants to bolster his squad's forward line and Costa is hoping to conclude a deal.

Espanyol were said to be holding out for €15m for the former Mallorca striker, but after being told by the player's agent that he wants to go they are no prepared to lower that value.

Benfica have made an offer of €12m which is likely to be enough to convince the Catalan outfit to talk and that would allow them to look for a replacement and be left with a profit.

Costa will dine with Espanyol president Daniel Sánchez Llibre and director general Pedro Tomás and everything goes well, then he could also meet Luis García to discuss personal terms.

Tottenham Hotspur were said to be interested in the 27-year-old, but coach Juande Ramos dismissed the reports and it appeared to be a bid to raise interest in the player.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com