Defender leaves Latics

Defender Antonio Amaya has joined La Liga outfit Real Betis from Wigan for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old joined the Latics on the eve of the 2009/10 campaign from Rayo Vallecano. Amaya scored on his debut in a Carling Cup defeat to Blackpool but failed to force his way into the first-team picture at the DW Stadium. The defender failed to make single Premier League appearance for the Latics, making just two further outings in the FA Cup, before re-joining Rayo Vallecano on a season-long loan last summer. There he helped the club earn promotion back to La Liga with a second place finish in Segunda Division. However, it is rivals Real Betis, who finished top of Segunda Division, who have swooped to take Amaya back to Spain on a permanent basis, with the defender penning a three-year deal at Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Dos Santos race hots up

Sky Sports sources understand that Udinese and Valencia have joined the race to sign Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos. The attacking midfielder has already been targeted by Sevilla after impressing on loan at Liga rivals Racing Santander last season while the Mexican has also caught the eye on international duty. Despite being only 22, Dos Santos has already reached 50 caps, scoring five goals in 16 international appearances in 2011. But he has played just 10 league games for Tottenham, going on loan in each of the three seasons since joining from Barcelona in 2008 - to Ipswich, Galatasaray and Racing. Sevilla have made enquiries about another loan switch, with first option on a permanent move, while fellow Spanish side Valencia and Italian outfit Udinese are now thought to be interested. Permanent deal preferred But Sevilla claim Spurs are only willing to let Dos Santos leave White Hart Lane on a permanent basis. Tottenham paid Barca an initial fee of £4.7million to secure his services in 2008 and they are believed to be looking for a similar fee, although Barca would receive 10 per cent due to a sell-on clause. Sevilla are currently unwilling to make such an offer so that has left the door open for Valencia or Udinese to land Dos Santos. "Tottenham want a sale but at the moment Sevilla are only interested in a loan with the first option to buy," Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has told Spanish press. "This is the problem because the subject is complicated."

Coentrao aims to justify fee

Fabio Coentrao is determined to prove his worth after his big-money move to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants splashed out €30million to sign the 23-year-old wing-back from Benfica earlier this month. The Portugal international has now joined up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour of America and is confident he will justify that price tag. "I always hear about the 30million, they say it's expensive," he told Diario AS. "But I cannot answer this question yet, time will tell. "I have the certainty that I have the quality and I want to show everyone why they paid 30million. "I have to prove to everyone that I have the qualities to be here. I am certain that I will respond in the future to this question and that it was worth paying the money for me." Coentrao has become the fourth Portugal international in the Real Madrid squad after Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Carvalho. Kaka and Marcelo are Portuguese speakers while coach Jose Mourinho is Portuguese so Coentrao has soon settled in. Fantastic group "It's a fantastic group," he said. "I'm feeling well, and not just because of the Portuguese and Brazilians here. "I feel great in this group. It is a fantastic club and a team with high quality. I am proud to be here, but I have to work hard from now." Carvalho saw Real's bitter rivals Barcelona win the Spanish title and the Champions League in his first season at the Bernabeu, but he has warned the Catalan giants that Real will be even more competitive next term. Mourinho managed to lead them to Copa del Ray victory last term and his track record at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan shows he tends to be more successful during his second season in charge. "He always wants to improve, from the first day and every day," said Carvalho, who also played under Mourinho at Porto and Chelsea. Always learning "With him you learn every day. His second years are better than his first because the players know each other better." And Carvalho is hoping Kaka can get back to his best and play a key role next term following two injury-hit campaigns since his then world-record move from AC Milan. "We know he had a difficult season because of his injury," added the experienced defender. "He is coming back and he is looking good. We all know his quality and I hope he can reach his best to help us."

Osvaldo keen to stay

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has insisted that he would be more than happy to remain at Espanyol. The 25-year-old striker was hugely impressive last season scoring 13-goals for the Barcelona side. He has since been linked to a host of clubs with Tottenham one of those said to be leading the chase. Inter Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are also thought to be keen, but he admits he could yet be ready to stay put. "I want to stay and I would love to be captain," Oslavdo told press agency Efe. "I think only about Espanyol. It shows in my mood and in training, I am happy here. "My agent does his job, but I just focus on playing and I have a contract in place. "My agent is like a father to me, he is very concerned about my future." Captain The captain's armband is free after Ivan de la Pena retired and he would like the chance to take charge of the team. "I would love to captain Espanyol, but this is something that needs to be decided on between all partners. "I feel very identified with this team and with the project, so I want to stay here."

Adebayor hopes for Real

Emmanuel Adebayor has confirmed he wants to finalise a return to Real Madrid. Skysports.com revealed earlier this week that a return to Madrid was on the cards for the Manchester City striker, who finished last season on loan at the Santiago Bernabeu. Adebayor has been left out of City's tour to America and is very much out in the cold with the Premier League club, so a move back to Spain is a huge appeal to him. Adebayor revealed that Real boss Jose Mourinho had told him he wanted him back. "We talked before we went on vacation. He said he wanted me to stay," he said. "If he called me right now, I would catch the first plane out to Los Angeles and if I could play three or four years in Madrid and I would retire with the club." Mourinho dream The Togo striker is desperate to be reunited with Mourinho. "He is the best coach I've worked with," the former Arsenal man told AS. "No doubt about it, and Madrid will win titles with him. "He now has control of the club and it is being designed to his template. "He gave me confidence and made me believe in myself and I enjoyed my football again." Adebayor is currently spending time training on his own at City. "I am training twice a day, I am working on my dream and I do not want another exit other than to return to Real Madrid, I am waiting on the call and hopefully it will happen," he said.

Villarreal consider Jarvis

Skysports.com understands that Villarreal are considering a shock move for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis. The 25-year-old has been linked with the Primera Liga club and reports have suggested they are studying DVDs of the wide-man. Jarvis won an England debut in March's 1-1 friendly draw with Ghana at Wembley after an excellent season up to that point. But his form dipped after his international recognition, as Wolves narrowly avoided Premier League relegation on the final day of the campaign. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy took the bold decision to drop the former Gillingham player and that did lead to speculation that he could be willing to listen to offers. Juan Carlos Garrido's Villarreal have been linked with Jarvis as a result and the Spanish club have refused to rule out a surprise bid. Club sources said: "We are working on some possible players and none of them are Spanish." Villarreal have already confirmed the signing of defender Cristian Zapata from Udinese, while star striker Giuseppe Rossi is expected to leave for Juventus.

Wenger confirms duo can leave

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia are both holding talks about moves away from the club. The duo have not been included for Arsenal's tour of Asia as they are in transfer discussions. Bendtner has been strongly linked with Borussia Dortmund and Fenerbahce in recent weeks, while Almunia looks set to return to Spain. "Both of them are possible departures," said the manager. "They are talking to other clubs at the moment. I cannot tell you which ones." No left-back Wenger, meanwhile, revealed that he does no intend to sign a replacement for Gael Clichy - who he sold to Manchester City. The Gunners boss says he is happy that he has Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore, along with Thomas Vermaelen, who could also play there if required. "The plan for left back is that we have Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore and Thomas Vermaelen can play there too. So we have what we need," said Wenger - who admitted that new signing Carl Jenkinson will be involved with the first team. "Jenkinson is an interesting buy. We bought him from Charlton and hopefully he will push Sagna," he said.