Ramos denies Betis link

Juande Ramos has played down speculation linking him with a return to Real Betis.

Rumours have been rife in Spain that the former Tottenham and Real Madrid coach is being lined up to take over from Antonio Tapia after a disappointing run of results.

In their last five Segunda Division games, Betis have picked up just four points, leaving them seventh in the table and five points adrift of the promotion places.

Ramos is without a club after leaving Russian side CSKA Moscow by mutual consent last October, but has denied there is an offer on the table at the Seville-based club.

He wrote on his personal website : "At no point has anybody from Real Betis been in contact with me or my representative Gines Carvajal to convey to us a job offer."

Ramos coached at Betis during the 2001/02 campaign before famously leading city rivals Sevilla to five trophies in two seasons between 2005 and 2007.

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Canales wants future resolved

Sergio Canales insists he is calm despite being linked to a host of Europe's top clubs but hopes his future is resolved quickly.

The Racing Santander starlet has shot to prominence in the last few weeks having scored four goals in his last three Primera Division matches including a brace against Sevilla at the weekend.

The 18-year-old is thought to have interested the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City with reports in Spain revealing that Real have already negotiated a deal for the forward, although such claims have been rubbished by Santander.

Canales' contract expires at the end of the season but Santander ensured they inserted a clause into the deal that meant if the youngster plays 450 minutes of first-team football this campaign the terms would automatically be renewed for another year.

Concentration

"I'm calm but it's clear that we need to resolve this as soon as possible so I can concentrate," he told Marca .

"It's not that I'm unsettled, but uncertainty isn't good."

Despite the rumours Canales confirmed that there had not been the level of contact that had been portrayed in the media.

"Fifty teams have not called me. Many things are being said, but I'm trying to keep myself at the periphery of all this," he added.

"Of course, whenever clubs like those are following you it's nice. It makes me happy."

The player's father, and representative, Angel Canales revealed that it was not the first time Barca or Real had approached him for his son's services.

"When he was 12, Barcelona and Madrid called us, but it was not the time," he told radio station Onda Cero .

Interest

"Barcelona then called again two years later. Then, when he was 16 more teams were calling but by then it was much easier to decide. We had decided that he should develop at Racing."

Canales senior also admitted that a number of teams had called over the playmaker's availability: "Various teams have called.

"It's going to be a very important moment for Sergio. The next two years could decide where he is going to be.

"It's a very difficult decision in which the economic theme is not the only factor. Nothing has been decided yet.

"What's clear to me is that Sergio has to play and at a big team and that is very difficult. We need to keep our feet on the ground."

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Costa set for Valencia switch

Reported Fulham and Aston Villa target Ricardo Costa has instead opted to join Valencia.

Talks are at an advanced stage to secure the services of the central defender, whose deal with current club Wolfsburg expires in June.

The Portuguese stopper rejected the German champions' offer to extend his stay in the Bundesliga and, despite reported interest from the Premier League sides, the 28-year-old has chosen to head to La Liga.

The former Porto defender had been set to move to Spain in the summer but a proposed transfer to Real Zaragoza unexpectedly collapsed.

But he finally looks like getting his move with Valencia, with his agent Jose Caldeira saying the decision was influenced as it is a World Cup year.

Confirming talks are at an advanced stage, Caldeira told Superdeporte : "The choice lies with the player and it is very clear that his destiny lies in Spain."

He added: "Ricardo has decided to play in Valencia because La Liga could be excellent for his presence in the national Portugal squad."

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Canales flattered by interest

Racing Santander starlet Sergio Canales admits he has been shocked by recent media attention.

The 18-year-old midfielder hit the headlines on Saturday after scoring twice in Racing's 2-1 victory at Sevilla.

Two composed finishes saw him catapulted into the limelight, and have led to mounting speculation regarding his future.

The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the gifted youngster, despite his lack of senior experience.

Canales admits the furore has caught him by surprise, especially the transfer talk, but the talented playmaker insists his attention remains solely on life at Racing for now.

"I'm relaxed but a little surprised," he said.

"At present my preference is to stay at Racing. They are the ones who gave me my debut and minutes in the Primera Liga, but I'm flattered by all the offers."

Reports in Spain suggest Racing have verbally agreed fresh terms with Canales but, until the paperwork is signed, the possibility of him being lured away remains a distinct possibility.

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Squillaci set for surgery

Sevilla defender Sebastien Squillaci is set to undergo ankle surgery which will keep him out for another two weeks at least.

The France international was replaced during the Spanish side's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid on January 2nd and the club announced the next day that he would be unavailable while he rested his ankle.

But, following discussions which involved French national team doctor Alain Simon, a decision has been taken for the central defender to undergo arthroscopic surgery and he will travel to Paris on Wednesday.

The club added Squillaci, who signed from Lyon in the summer of 2008, "could return to the pitch in a little more than two weeks if all goes well."

Sevilla have lost their last three league matches to sit in fifth in La Liga, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona.

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Merida only talking to Gunners

Spanish youngster Fran Merida says that he is holding contract talks with Arsenal and no one else.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid and it has been speculated terms were agreed.

However, the teenager insists that staying at the Emirates is his top priority and that he remains hopeful of reaching an accord.

Although the Spain Under 21 starlet is free to agree a pre-contract agreement elsewhere he wants to see how talks with Arsenal progress before deciding his fate.

Time needed

"At the moment I am in talks with the boss. I told him I needed a bit of time," explained Merida.

"The first thing in my mind is definitely to stay here, but I have to look at a few things and we will see how things progress.

"My agent and I are only talking to Arsenal at the moment, though, and nobody else - I want to see how my situation looks here and then I will decide what to do."

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Racing calm over starlet

Racing Santander have dismissed claims that Real Madrid have agreed a deal for starlet Sergio Canales.

The 18-year-old midfielder has made a huge impression in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last three games.

His current deal expires in the summer but Racing do have an option on him.

And president Francisco Pernia insists he will be staying put and not joining Real or Barcelona.

"We have a commitment obtained with his father who is the person who represents the player's interests and I am fully confident in this," said the Racing chief.

"These stories have as much relation to the truth as an egg to a chestnut.

"I have never lost my calm nor am I going to. Nothing's happening here. Everyone's calm and no-one's getting nervous.

"There are always people who talk about matters and get in contact with other people to ask them about it."

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