Haven't heard him mentioned as a target but he's a fair player. Can't see Jiminez letting him go though, he's a pretty integral part of the Sevilla team.

I don't think Jiminez has got the credit he deserves for the job he's done since Ramos left. He made the best of a difficult task last season and made the UEFA cup, and they look set to be in the mix for the top four this season.

And this in a team where neither Kanoute nor Luis Fabiano have really hit form yet. Sunday's win for example, Fabiano was on the bench and there was no Diego Capel or Enzo Maresca (top player IMO, much underrated). They've got one of the best defences in La Liga with Prieto, Squillaci, Escude, Mosquerra, Navarro and Dragutinovic plus a decent midfield with Renato, Fazio, Romaric, Duscher and Adriano. Their football isn't always pretty (the Villarreal and Valencia games have been fairly dull in all honesty) but its effective. Indicative of a well-run club with a President who handles transfers shrewdly and gives his coaches time. Real Madrid can learn from it in a big way.

had navas broken into the team when ramos was in charge?

The Sevilla side?

Of course, Capel was starting to break in by then.

I think Navas is decent, but will he be able to leave Sevilla, as I do remember him having some illness. However, I think if Madrid were to go for a winger from Sevilla, they'd go for Capel, who's younger and has more potential.

He's been a part of the team for at least 2 seasons. No-one else has really distinguished themselves on that right hand side so he is in a good position really.

Real's Diarra bid is reported to be rl£20mrl talk about a big club paying a premium

right back isn't their problem - Salgado can cover for Sergio Ramos. Left-back is the more pressing issue, solid Marcelo and Heinze certainly ain't

I agree, but Salgado is garbage, I'm sorry but he's well past it. A defensive midfielder was needed, and he's got that sorted, now for a left back.

Any rumours of note?

at the current exchange rate its about £20m!

I'd pay about half that for a player of Diarra's quality. The world's best holding midfielders - De Rossi, Cambiasso, Mascherano - would command that sort of fee but IMO Diarra isn't one of them.

are you a spanish football chairman?

I'll have it in unmarked bills and brown envelopes.

You are joking, right?

The weekend in preview18
20:00 Real Betis Balompié v Athletic Bilbao

A couple of real stand-out games in La Liga this weekend which could have a significant impact on the European placings going into the winter break. Barcelona’s place at the top is assured, and if they beat Villarreal on Sunday evening they are guaranteed at the very least an 8 point lead over the chasing pack. Pep Guardiola has a nice selection headache as Andres Iniesta is likely to be in contention for a starting berth following six weeks out with injury. Manuel Pellegrini is undergoing a rough spell in Castellon and things aren’t going to get any easier with the league leaders visiting.

Atletico Madrid, unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions, have the chance to make further inroads into the top four with their trip to the Montjuic to face an Espanyol side who have not won since November 2nd. Also on Saturday. Real Madrid, themselves on a horrible run, host Valencia at the Bernabau hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s Classico defeat. Marcelo, Robben and Torres are all expected to return to the side but Diarra, De La Red and Van Nistelrooy remain long-term absentees.

On Sunday, rock-bottom Osasuna face a Getafe side unbeaten in four and who have lost just once away from home. There are several lower-mid-table scraps as Racing host Malaga, Almeria (who have taken just 5 points from 21 recently) visit Sporting Gijon and Real Betis find themselves on telly again, this time playing Athletic Bilbao. Sevilla will look to cement their position in second place with a win at Mallorca, who themselves are loitering dangerously in the bottom three. Valladolid, unbeaten in five, travel to Numancia and finally, a win for Deportivo at the Riazor over Recreativo could see them leapfrog Real Madrid if results go their way.