• Defender left out of Sevilla's Champions League squad
• 'For the moment, we believe the offer is insufficient'
Arsenal look set to strengthen their defence with the France international Sébastien Squillaci after the defender's club, Sevilla, confirmed an offer has been received. The Gunners are short of experienced cover at the back, having seen out-of-contract veterans William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikaël Silvestre leave this summer.
The 30-year-old Squillaci asked to be left out of Sevilla's Champions League play-off against Braga last night to avoid being cup-tied. The former Lyon defender is valued at around £6.5m but it is uncertain whether Arsenal have matched that valuation.
Sevilla said: "Sébastien Squillaci's future is in the air. As was confirmed by sporting director Ramón Rodríguez at the airport in Porto, the club have received an offer from Arsenal. The player asked coaches not to play him in the match."
Rodríguez, though, said Arsenal will need to raise their offer: "The player asked not to play because of the offer from such a big team but, for the moment, we believe the offer is insufficient and Squillaci is still a Sevilla player," he told the Spanish newspaper Marca.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/19/sevilla-arsenal-sebastien-squillaci
